1. Plate Boundaries and Crustal Formations Notes

2. DIVERGENT BOUNDARIES
Occurs when two plates are DIVIDING or pulling apart.
Crustal Feature: Mid-Ocean Ridge or Rift Valley
(Example: Mid-Atlantic Ridge)
Boundary: 1) Oceanic/Oceanic
2) Continental/Continental

3. CONVERGENT BOUNDARIES
Occurs when two plates are COLLIDING or moving toward one another.
Crustal Feature: Mountains
(Example: Himalayan Mountain Range)
Boundary: Continental/Continental

4. SUBDUCTION ZONES
Occurs at a convergent boundary. Since these two plates have different densities, the denser plate subducts under the less dense plate.
Crustal Feature: Volcanic Mountain and Trench
(Example: Andes Volcanic Mountains)
Boundary:
Oceanic/Continental Oceanic/Oceanic

5. TRANSFORM BOUNDARIES
Occurs when two plates SLIDE PAST one another, causing a shearing motion which breaks down the edges of the plates.
Crustal Feature: Faults, which build up friction and cause earthquakes!
(Example: San Andres Fault in California)
Boundary: Continental/Continental

6. HOT SPOTS
Hot Spots are volcanic regions thought to be above extremely hot areas of the mantle. These hot spots can create volcanic mountain chains and islands (like the Hawaiian islands).