What happens when jagged rocks plates grind past against each other?

Answer 1

When jagged rock plates grind against each other, it can result in a geological phenomenon known as faulting, which often leads to earthquakes.

Grinding occurs along plate boundaries, specifically at transform plate boundaries where two plates slide horizontally past one another. As the two plates move, jagged rock formations on their boundaries become locked due to friction. However, the stress continues to build up in the locked rocks until the pressure becomes too great. Eventually, the rocks suddenly slip, releasing a massive amount of stored energy in the form of seismic waves, resulting in an earthquake.

The jagged rocks on the plate boundaries can also cause significant friction during the grinding process, generating heat. This frictional heat can cause the rocks to melt and generate molten magma, which can then rise to the surface and lead to volcanic activity if it breaches the Earth's crust.

In conclusion, when jagged rock plates grind past each other, it can cause earthquakes and potentially trigger volcanic eruptions due to friction and the release of accumulated stress along plate boundaries.