Tectonic plates and plate boundaries

Question 1

How is the world divided into tectonic plates?

Answer 1

• Outer shell of the Earth (the crust) is broken up into pieces called tectonic plates that fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
• Convection currents of red hot magma beneath the plates cause the plates to move.

Question 2

What are the four different processes occurring at plate boundaries

Answer 2

• Convergent Plate boundaries (land on land and land on ocean)
• Divergent Plate Boundaries (Mid-Ocean)
• Divergent Plate Boundaries (Land)
• Transform Plate Boundaries

Question 3

What are convergent plate boundaries?

Answer 3

Happens when two plates collide - forming fold mountains, volcanoes, and causing earthquakes, etc.

Question 4

What are land on land converging plate boundaries?

Answer 4

In land on land, plates are similar density so they resist subduction and usually both buckle. This forms mountains in immense upward pressure.

Example = himilayas

Question 5

What are land on ocean converging plate boundaries?

Answer 5

In land on sea, a large difference in density causes the subduction of sea plate, whilst the land plate buckles and forms mountains.

Example = Western Andes

Question 6

What are divergent plate boundaries (mid ocean)?

Answer 6

Occurs when ocean plates move apart, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and new oceanic ridge and crust to form.

Example = Mid Atlantic Ridge

Question 7

What are divergent plate boundaries (land)?

Answer 7

Occurs when continental plates move apart, causing volcanoes, and a new oceanic ridge and crust to form.

Example = East Africa Rift

Question 8

What are transform plate boundaries?

Answer 8

Occurs when tectonic plates slide past one another in a horizontal direction. Cause earthquakes due to immense, building pressure in fault line, which release in seismic waves from time to time.

Example = San Andreas Fault.