Based on Michigan GLCEs for a 6th grade audience Plate Boundaries Based on Michigan GLCEs for a 6th grade audience

What are plates? The earth’s crust (also called the lithosphere) is broken up into many “puzzle pieces”. These puzzle pieces are called tectonic plates. The plates are constantly moving over the liquid mantle of the earth. (On average, plates move about 2 cm per year.)

Three Types of Boundaries Plate boundaries are named for the way that they move. There are three types of boundaries; convergent, divergent, and transform. Convergent plates move TOWARD each other. Divergent plates move AWAY from each other. Transform plates SLIDE past each other.

Map of the world’s plate boundaries

Convergent Plates Convergent plates move TOWARD each other. They can cause the formation of ocean trenches, mountain ranges and sometimes, volcanoes.

Divergent Boundaries Divergent plates move AWAY from each other. They can cause the formation of mid-ocean ridges.

Transform Boundaries Transform boundaries SLIDE past one another. Most often the friction created by the rock sliding back and forth results in earthquakes. One of the most famous transform boundaries has created the San Andreas Fault in California.

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What are the three types of plate boundaries? Away, toward, past Mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes Convergent, divergent, transform Convergent, transfer, driven

What way do convergent boundaries move? Toward each other Away from each other Past each other

What way do divergent boundaries move? Toward each other Away from each other Past each other

What way do transform boundaries move? Toward each other Away from each other Past each other

Volcanoes are usually caused by… Transform boundaries Divergent boundaries Convergent boundaries

Mid-ocean ridges are usually a result of a … Divergent boundary Transform boundary Convergent boundary

Earthquakes occur when tension in the rocks builds up at a … Divergent boundary Convergent boundary Transform boundary

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