Name the three types of plate boundaries and describe the movement that occurs at each.

Answer 1

The three main types of plate boundaries are:

1. Divergent Boundaries:

   • Movement: At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move away from each other. This movement typically occurs along mid-ocean ridges, where magma rises from the mantle to create new oceanic crust. As the plates separate, they form new crust, which can lead to volcanic activity and the formation of underwater mountains.

2. Convergent Boundaries:

   • Movement: At convergent boundaries, tectonic plates move toward each other. This can lead to one plate being forced beneath another in a process known as subduction. Depending on the types of plates involved (continental or oceanic), this can create mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs. For instance, when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is subducted, forming trenches and volcanic activity.

3. Transform Boundaries:

   • Movement: At transform boundaries, tectonic plates slide past one another horizontally. This lateral movement can cause significant friction and stress, often resulting in earthquakes. The most well-known example of a transform boundary is the San Andreas Fault in California.

These movements at the boundaries of tectonic plates play a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface and are fundamental to the theory of plate tectonics.