Plate Margins/Boundaries

Question 1

Conservative/Transform Plate Margins:

Answer 1

• At conservative plate margins, plates are sliding past each other.
• The plates are made of rock that has jagged edges so they catch and snag against one another.
• Friction and pressure between the plates builds until the plates can’t take the stress.
• They slip past each other, which can cause both plates to move and, as a result, the ground may shake (earthquake).

Question 2

What are conservative plate margins also known as?

Answer 2

Transform plate margins

Question 3

Constructive/Divergent Plate Margins:

Answer 3

• At constructive plate margins, the plates move apart (diverge).
• The convection currents diverge (push apart) and cause a gap to form between the plates.
• Magma rises up to fill the gap that is created between the 2 plates.

Question 4

What are constructive plates also known as?

Answer 4

Divergent plate margins

Question 5

Destructive/Convergent plate margins:

Answer 5

• The oceanic plate slides beneath the continental plate. The point at which this happens is called a subduction zone.
• The rocks catch against one another as the plates are not smooth surfaces.
• The pressure between the plates builds until the plates can’t take the stress.
• They slip past each other, which can cause both plates to move and, as a result, the ground may shake (earthquake).

Question 6

What are destructive plate margins also known as?

Answer 6

Convergent plate margins