1. The Theory of Plate Tectonics
Chapter 5 Lesson 3

2. What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics?
The theory of plate tectonics states that Earth’s plates are in slow, constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.

3. Transform
Convergent
Divergent

4. Plate Boundaries
Earth’s plates meet at boundaries. Along each boundary, plates move in one of three ways. 1. Apart – Divergent boundary 2. Together- Convergent boundary 3. Past each other – Transform boundary Plates move between 1-12 cm per year, which is about how fast your fingernails grow. Faults- are breaks in Earth’s crust where rocks have slipped past each other

5. Divergent boundaries – two plates moving slowly apart form a rift valley

6. New basaltic magma rises to the surface along the ridge forming new oceanic crust

7. Convergent Plate boundaries – plates moving together Three types of convergent boundaries 1. Oceanic crust meets Oceanic crust 2. Oceanic crust meets Continental crust 3. Continental crust meets Continental crust

8. Ocean-Ocean- forms a trench – more dense material will sink under the less dense material

9. Japan is an example of an Island Arc system
Trench
Island arc

10. Ocean crust converging with continental crust
Results in volcanic arc and a trench

11. Oceanic - continental convergence
E.g. Andes mountains

12. Continental-continental convergence

13. The Andes

14. The sub-continent of India has collided with the Eurasian continent to form the Himalayas

15. Eurasian Plate
Indian Plate

16. Transform Boundaries are where two plates slip past each other moving in opposite directions.
Earth quakes result from this type of boundary