There are four types of plate boundaries: 1. Divergent boundaries -- where new crust is generated as the plates pull away from each other. 2. Convergent boundaries -- where crust is destroyed as one plate dives under another. 3. Transform boundaries -- where crust is neither produced nor destroyed as the plates slide horizontally past each other 4. Plate boundary zones -- broad belts in which boundaries are not well defined and the effects of plate interaction are unclear 2. Convergent boundaries -- where crust is destroyed as one plate dives under another. 3. Transform boundaries -- where crust is neither produced nor destroyed as the plates slide horizontally past each other. 4. Plate boundary zones -- broad belts in which boundaries are not well defined and the effects of plate interaction are unclear

Divergent Plate Boundaries

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which splits nearly the entire Atlantic Ocean north to south, is probably the best-known and most-studied example of a divergent-plate boundary.The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which splits nearly the entire Atlantic Ocean north to south, is probably the best-known and most-studied example of a divergent-plate boundary.

Aerial view of the area around Thingvellir, Iceland, showing a fissure zone (in shadow) that is the on-land exposure of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Right of the fissure, the North American Plate is pulling westward away from the Eurasian Plate (left of the fissure).Aerial view of the area around Thingvellir, Iceland, showing a fissure zone (in shadow) that is the on-land exposure of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Right of the fissure, the North American Plate is pulling westward away from the Eurasian Plate (left of the fissure).

East Africa may be the site of the Earth's next major ocean. Plate interactions in the region provide scientists an opportunity to study first hand how the Atlantic may have begun to form about 200 million years ago. Geologists believe that, if spreading continues, the three plates that meet at the edge of the present-day African continent will separate completely, allowing the Indian Ocean to flood the area and making the easternmost corner of Africa (the Horn of Africa) a large islandEast Africa may be the site of the Earth's next major ocean. Plate interactions in the region provide scientists an opportunity to study first hand how the Atlantic may have begun to form about 200 million years ago. Geologists believe that, if spreading continues, the three plates that meet at the edge of the present-day African continent will separate completely, allowing the Indian Ocean to flood the area and making the easternmost corner of Africa (the Horn of Africa) a large island

Convergent Plate Boundaries 3 Types of Convergent Boundaries Ocean to Continent Ocean to Ocean Continent to Continent

The convergence of the Nazca and South American Plates has deformed and pushed up limestone strata to form towering peaks of the AndesThe convergence of the Nazca and South American Plates has deformed and pushed up limestone strata to form towering peaks of the Andes

The 6,000- km-plus journey of the India landmass (Indian Plate) before its collision with Asia (Eurasian Plate) about 40 to 50 million years agoThe 6,000- km-plus journey of the India landmass (Indian Plate) before its collision with Asia (Eurasian Plate) about 40 to 50 million years ago

Sunset view of towering, snow-capped Mt. Everest, from the village of Lobuche (Solu-khumbu), NepalSunset view of towering, snow-capped Mt. Everest, from the village of Lobuche (Solu-khumbu), Nepal

Transform Boundaries

The Blanco, Mendocino, Murray, and Molokai fracture zones are some of the many fracture zones (transform faults) that scar the ocean floor and offset ridgesThe Blanco, Mendocino, Murray, and Molokai fracture zones are some of the many fracture zones (transform faults) that scar the ocean floor and offset ridges

The San Andreas fault zone, which is about 1,300 km long and in places tens of kilometers wide, slices through two thirds of the length of California. Along it, the Pacific Plate has been grinding horizontally past the North American Plate for 10 million years, at an average rate of about 5 cm/yrThe San Andreas fault zone, which is about 1,300 km long and in places tens of kilometers wide, slices through two thirds of the length of California. Along it, the Pacific Plate has been grinding horizontally past the North American Plate for 10 million years, at an average rate of about 5 cm/yr

Hotspots Regions of earthquake and volcanic activity which do not occur along plate boundaries

The vast majority of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur near plate boundaries, but there are some exceptionsThe vast majority of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur near plate boundaries, but there are some exceptions

Map of part of the Pacific basin showing the volcanic trail of the Hawaiian hotspot-- 6,000-km-long Hawaiian Ridge- Emperor Seamounts chainMap of part of the Pacific basin showing the volcanic trail of the Hawaiian hotspot-- 6,000-km-long Hawaiian Ridge- Emperor Seamounts chain