Types of Plate Boundaries

When 2 plates meet….. 1- They can crash together = Convergent Boundary OR 2- They can move away from each other = Divergent Boundary OR 3- They can slide past each other = Sliding/Transform Boundary

Convergent Boundaries There are two types of Convergent Boundaries: A. Subduction: when one plate is more dense than another, the more dense plate goes underneath the less dense plate. Subduction The 2nd type is collision

Convergent Boundaries: Subduction One plate goes under the other Features that occur: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Ocean Trench Remember: “The Ocean floor is going DOWN!!!!”

Example Mt. St. Helens- Juan de Fuca plate goes under the North American Plate. What are some indicators that a volcano might erupt soon?

Convergent Boundaries, Collision B. Collision: when the 2 plates are the same material. When they hit, they both buckle up (this makes mountains) The two plates have the same density, they buckle up and move to a higher elevation Features: Earthquakes, Folded Mountains

Example Mt. Everest, Himalayas The plates are still colliding and gaining Elevation What are some forces of nature that keep Everest from getting much higher?

Divergent Boundaries When two plates move apart. Features: In continents: Rift Valley, Volcanoes, Earthquakes In oceans: Mid-Ocean Ridge, Volcanoes, Earthquakes

Examples: Great Rift Valley, Africa Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Atlantic Ocean

Example: Great Rift Valley, Africa

Sliding/Transform Boundary When two plates slide past each other. Features: Earthquakes

Example: California- Pacific Plate slides past the North American Plate at the San Andreas Fault.

Example: San Andreas Fault Where is it?