10.2 Plate Boundaries

Question 1

What are Divergent Boundaries?

Answer 1

-Plates that move away from each other
-If happens on ocean seafloor, called ocean ridges (underwater volcano chains) will form seafloor spreading
-If this happens on land, places called rift valleys form magma rises from the asthenosphere, filling the rift and forming new crust known as constructive boundaries

Question 2

What are Converging Boundaries?

Answer 2

-Collide together, destroying rock known as destructive boundaries
-Continental-continental: When two continental plates collide, rocks get pushed upwards forming large mountain ranges
-Oceanic-continental: Subduction, locations are called subduction zones, when an oceanic and a continental plate collide, the denser oceanic crust is pushed underneath the continental crust, creating deep trenches.
-Oceanic-oceanic: When two oceanic plates collide, the faster plate undergoes subduction, forms deep trench. The plate underneath melts, forming magma which rises to the surface, creates oceanic volcanos which cool to form islands arcs.

Question 3

What are Transform Boundaries?

Answer 3

-Plates slowly slide past each other in parallel
-Pressure builds up until sudden slips cause an earthquake. Oceanic earthquakes can form tsunamis
-Fold mountains typically form along the boundary. Cracks in the plate along the boundaries are known as fault lines.