Types of Plate Boundaries
There are 3 types of plate boundaries and they are:
- convergent
- divergent
- conservative
CONVERGENT
Convergent plate boundary is when 2 plates collide with each other. There are two types of convergent plate:
1) uplifting plate boundary- this is when a continental plate collides with another continental plate. The pressure of the collision forces the two plates to fold up and form mountains. (eg. the Himalayan mountains)
2) destructive plate boundary- this is where a continental plate collides with an ocean plate. The ocean plate is denser so therefore it sinks under the continental plate. This sinking plate starts to melt due to heat and friction from the mantle. This sinking zone is called the SUBDUCTION zone. Volcanoes are formed here.
Convergent plate boundary is when 2 plates collide with each other. There are two types of convergent plate:
1) uplifting plate boundary- this is when a continental plate collides with another continental plate. The pressure of the collision forces the two plates to fold up and form mountains. (eg. the Himalayan mountains)
2) destructive plate boundary- this is where a continental plate collides with an ocean plate. The ocean plate is denser so therefore it sinks under the continental plate. This sinking plate starts to melt due to heat and friction from the mantle. This sinking zone is called the SUBDUCTION zone. Volcanoes are formed here.
DIVERGENT
Another name for this type of plate is constructive plate boundary. This is where two plates are moving away from each other. This is because of the convection current in the mantle causing the magma in it to rise and and push the two plates apart. The magma then rises above the surface and starts to cool down when coming in contact with the ocean, forming new rocks.
There are several oceanic volcanoes and earthquakes here.
Another name for this type of plate is constructive plate boundary. This is where two plates are moving away from each other. This is because of the convection current in the mantle causing the magma in it to rise and and push the two plates apart. The magma then rises above the surface and starts to cool down when coming in contact with the ocean, forming new rocks.
There are several oceanic volcanoes and earthquakes here.
CONSERVATIVE
This plate is also known as transforming plate boundary. This is where two plates slide past each other. They could be sliding in the opposite direction to each other or in the same direction but at a different speed.
When these two plates slide past each other, earthquakes will occur. This is because when something prevents the plates to move, pressure will build up until they gain enough force to snap loose. This will create shockwaves that cause earthquakes.
This plate is also known as transforming plate boundary. This is where two plates slide past each other. They could be sliding in the opposite direction to each other or in the same direction but at a different speed.
When these two plates slide past each other, earthquakes will occur. This is because when something prevents the plates to move, pressure will build up until they gain enough force to snap loose. This will create shockwaves that cause earthquakes.