Types of Plate Boundaries 1

When 2 plates meet….. 1- They can crash together = Convergent Boundary OR 2- They can move away from each other = Divergent Boundary OR 3- They can slide past each other = Sliding/Transform Boundary 2

Convergent Boundaries There are two types of Convergent Boundaries: A. Subduction: when one plate is more dense than another, the more dense plate goes underneath the less dense plate. Subduction The 2nd type is collision 3

Convergent Boundaries: Subduction One plate goes under the other Features that occur: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Ocean Trench Remember: “The Ocean floor is going DOWN!!!!” 4

Example Mt. St. Helens- Juan de Fuca plate goes under the North American Plate. What are some indicators that a volcano might erupt soon? 5

Convergent Boundaries, Collision B. Collision: when the 2 plates are the same material. When they hit, they both buckle up (this makes mountains) The two plates have the same density, they buckle up and move to a higher elevation Features: Earthquakes, Folded Mountains 6

Example Mt. Everest, Himalayas The plates are still colliding and gaining Elevation What are some forces of nature that keep Everest from getting much higher? 7

Divergent Boundaries When two plates move apart. Features: In continents: Rift Valley, Volcanoes, Earthquakes In oceans: Mid-Ocean Ridge, Volcanoes, Earthquakes 8

Examples: Great Rift Valley, Africa Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Atlantic Ocean 9

Example: Great Rift Valley, Africa 10

Sliding/Transform Boundary When two plates slide past each other. Features: Earthquakes 11

Example: California- Pacific Plate slides past the North American Plate at the San Andreas Fault. 12

Example: San Andreas Fault Where is it? 13