Theory of Plate Tectonics: Lithosphere is broken up into many plates that move Lithosphere is broken up into many plates that move Interactions when the plates touch, explain most of the Earth’s land and ocean features Interactions when the plates touch, explain most of the Earth’s land and ocean features Earthquakes can occur at all plate boundaries Earthquakes can occur at all plate boundaries

Transform Divergent Convergent

Motion: Plates moving apart Motion: Plates moving apart Features/Processes: Features/Processes: o Sea floor spreading o Mid-ocean ridge o Volcanic activity Ex: Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Divergent boundary on a continent Divergent boundary on a continent New ocean forming New ocean forming

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Motion: Plates slide past each other Motion: Plates slide past each other Features/Processes: Many earthquakes Features/Processes: Many earthquakes

Motion: Plates are pushed together Motion: Plates are pushed together Features depend on which types of plates are converging (details below) Features depend on which types of plates are converging (details below)

Oceanic subducts under continental because… Oceanic subducts under continental because… o The oceanic crust has a greater density Trench is created off the coast Trench is created off the coast Volcanic Mountains created on land due to rising magma Volcanic Mountains created on land due to rising magma magma

The OLDER oceanic plate will sink beneath the newer The OLDER oceanic plate will sink beneath the newer o The older plate is denser b/c it has more time to compact Trench is created in between the plates Trench is created in between the plates A volcanic island arc is created due to rising magma A volcanic island arc is created due to rising magma magma

1. Aleutian Islands, Alaska 2. Japan 3. The Philippines

Both plates collide and deform Both plates collide and deform o neither subducts because both plates have similar, low densities The crust thickens as mountains are pushed upward The crust thickens as mountains are pushed upward o metamorphism of rocks takes place from pressure

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Explain this diagram: