Plate Boundary Chart Descriptions and Features

Divergent Oceanic Two plates moving away from on another Two plates moving away from on another New crust being made at boundary New crust being made at boundary Results in sea-floor spreading and ridges. Results in sea-floor spreading and ridges. May be associated with some volcanic activity. May be associated with some volcanic activity.

Divergent Oceanic Example Example Mid Atlantic Ridge Mid Atlantic Ridge

Divergent Continental Thick continental plate is arched upwards from the convection current's lift, pulled thin by extensional forces, and fractured into a rift-shaped structure. Thick continental plate is arched upwards from the convection current's lift, pulled thin by extensional forces, and fractured into a rift-shaped structure. A rift valley sometimes occupied by a long linear lakes or a shallow arm of the ocean. A rift valley sometimes occupied by a long linear lakes or a shallow arm of the ocean. Volcanic activity sometimes occurs within the rift. Volcanic activity sometimes occurs within the rift.

Divergent Continental Example Example East Africa Rift Valley East Africa Rift Valley

Convergent Oceanic-Continental Two Plates moving towards one another Two Plates moving towards one another Crust could be recycled at the boundary Crust could be recycled at the boundary Crust could crumple up on the continental crust. Crust could crumple up on the continental crust. Results in the subduction of the oceanic plate which leads to an off shore trench, possible continental mountains and possible volcanic activity. Could contribute to deep-focus earthquakes. Results in the subduction of the oceanic plate which leads to an off shore trench, possible continental mountains and possible volcanic activity. Could contribute to deep-focus earthquakes.

Convergent Oceanic-Continental Examples Examples Coast of Oregon and Washington Coast of Oregon and Washington Cascade Mountains Cascade Mountains Coast of South America Coast of South America Andes Andes

Convergent Oceanic-Oceanic Two Plates moving towards one another Two Plates moving towards one another Crust could be recycled at the boundary Crust could be recycled at the boundary Crust could crumple up on the continental crust. Crust could crumple up on the continental crust. Results in subduction of one oceanic plate, which leads to the creation of a trench, and possible volcanic island arcs. Could contribute to deep-focus earth quakes Results in subduction of one oceanic plate, which leads to the creation of a trench, and possible volcanic island arcs. Could contribute to deep-focus earth quakes

Convergent Oceanic-Oceanic Examples Examples Aleutian Islands Aleutian Islands Marianna Trench Marianna Trench

Convergent Continental- Continental Two Plates moving towards one another Two Plates moving towards one another Crust could be recycled at the boundary Crust could be recycled at the boundary Crust could crumple up on the continental crust. Crust could crumple up on the continental crust. Results in mountain building events. Results in mountain building events.

Convergent Continental- Continental Himalayas Himalayas

Transform Two plate sliding past one another. Two plate sliding past one another. No crust is being made or destroyed at the boundary No crust is being made or destroyed at the boundary Results in earthquakes Results in earthquakes

Transform Example Example – San Andreas Fault