Constructive plate boundary
Two oceanic plates are pulled apart by convection currents leaving a gap between them for magma to rise through.
This can cause underwater volcanoes.
Constructive plate boundaries occur around the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, between the North American plate and the Eurasian plate (see figure 1).
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Two oceanic plates are pulled apart by convection currents leaving a gap between them for magma to rise through.
This can cause underwater volcanoes.
Constructive plate boundaries occur around the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, between the North American plate and the Eurasian plate (see figure 1).
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Destructive plate boundary
An oceanic plate and a continental plate are pushed together by convection currents. The oceanic crust is heavier and it sinks below the continental crust, melting and magma rises through the volcano.
This causes land volcanoes to errupt.
Destructive plate boundaries occur near the west coast of South America, between the Nazca and South American plate (see figure 1).
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An oceanic plate and a continental plate are pushed together by convection currents. The oceanic crust is heavier and it sinks below the continental crust, melting and magma rises through the volcano.
This causes land volcanoes to errupt.
Destructive plate boundaries occur near the west coast of South America, between the Nazca and South American plate (see figure 1).
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Conservative (sliding) plate boundary
Two plates slide against each other in the same or opposite directions causing friction. The movement is not smooth, so when the plates move and friction is released it is in sharp movements.
This plate boundary primarily causes earthquakes.
Conservative plate boundaries occur in few places. One famous conservative boundary is the San Andreas Fault in San Francisco, North America.
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Two plates slide against each other in the same or opposite directions causing friction. The movement is not smooth, so when the plates move and friction is released it is in sharp movements.
This plate boundary primarily causes earthquakes.
Conservative plate boundaries occur in few places. One famous conservative boundary is the San Andreas Fault in San Francisco, North America.
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Collision plate boundary
Two continental plates are pushed together by convection currents. Neither crusts is heavier or thicker than the other so the plates collide and create fold mountains.
This plate boundary mainly causes fold mountains to form, but can also can earthquakes as in New Zealand at the Alpine fault.
Famous fold mountains formed by collision of plates include the Himalayas and the Alps.
Two continental plates are pushed together by convection currents. Neither crusts is heavier or thicker than the other so the plates collide and create fold mountains.
This plate boundary mainly causes fold mountains to form, but can also can earthquakes as in New Zealand at the Alpine fault.
Famous fold mountains formed by collision of plates include the Himalayas and the Alps.