1. Plate Tectonics

2. Plate tectonics describes the motion of Earth’s plates. Movement of plates can cause earthquakes!

3. Earth is broken up into 7 major plates and many minor plates.

4. Plate boundaries There are 3 types of plate boundaries. Plate boundaries describe the how plates move in relation to one another.

5. 1. Convergent (collision) boundaries On land: 2 or more plates move toward eachother and collide Forms mountain ranges and volcanoes! In the ocean: One plate moves down (subducts) and one moves up causes volcanoes

6. 2. Divergent (spreading) boundaries Happens when plates are moving away from eachother. Form rifts and valleys Most divergent boundaries are in the ocean.

7. 3. Transform boundary Plates move past each other