Types of Plate Boundaries Types of Plate Boundaries

Types of Plate Boundaries

Types of Plate Boundaries �Scientists identify the boundaries between two plates by the plate movement. �There are three types of plate boundaries: 1. Divergent 2. Convergent 3. Transform

Divergent Boundaries A divergent boundary is a boundary where two plates are moving away from each other.

Divergent Boundaries This is an example of a divergent boundary. Bridge across the Alfagaria Rift Valley in southwest Iceland, that is part of the boundary between the Eurasian and North American continental tectonic plates.

Divergent Boundaries �A Rift Valley is a deep valley located on divergent boundaries. �Remember the mid-ocean ridge? The middle part of the mid-ocean ridge is called a rift valley. �Rift = crack

Divergent Boundaries �As divergent boundaries widen rift valleys form and create new crust from magma that makes its way to the surface.

Convergent Boundaries �A Convergent Boundary is a boundary between two plates that are moving toward each other.

Convergent Boundaries One important feature is a deep-sea trench. These form along the subduction zone. Subduction Boundary – When an oceanic plate plunges beneath another plate it is said to be sub-ducting beneath the overriding plate. This boundary between the two plates is a subduction boundary. These boundaries can occur between two ocean plates or and ocean and continental plate.

Convergent Boundaries � Collision Boundary – The boundary that forms when two continents collide is called a collision boundary. � Mountain ranges are usually formed along such boundaries.

The Himalayan Mountains are an example of a collision boundary.

Transform Boundary �A Transform Boundary is a boundary between two plates that are sliding past each other.

Transform Boundaries �Movement along transform boundaries is not uniform and can sometimes cause earthquakes. The San Andreas Fault in North America is an example of a Transform Boundary.

Three Types of Boundaries