Plate tectonics Flashcards
(15 cards)
a plate boundary
where plate tectonics meet
3 main plate boundaries
destructive
constructive
conservative
conservative plate boundaries movement
plates are sliding past each other horizontally.
crust production on conservative plate boundaries
neither produced or destroyed
what do conservative plate boundaries cause?
earthquakes
how do conservative plate boundaries cause earthquakes?
The plates are made of rock that has jagged edges so they catch and snag against one another.
Friction and pressure between the plates builds until the plates can’t take the stress.
The plates slip past each other, which can cause both plates to move resulting in the ground shaking.
divergent plate boundaries movement
move apart or diverge
crust production on divergent plate boundaries
New crust is generated as the plates pull away from each other.
how is new crust created on divergent plate boundaries?
The convection currents diverge (push apart) and cause a gap between the plates.
Magma rises up to fill the gap that is created.
New crust is generated as the plates pull away from each other.
movement of convergent plate boundaries
oceanic plate slides beneath a continental plate
crust production of convergent plate boundaries
The crust is destroyed as one plate dives under another at the subduction zone.
what is caused at convergent plate boundaries?
earthquakes
how are earthquakes formed at convergent plate boundaries?
The crust is destroyed as one plate dives under another at the subduction zone.
The rocks catch against each other as the plates are not smooth.
The pressure between plates builds until the plates can’t take the stress.
The plates slip past each other, which can cause both plates to move resulting in the ground shaking.
features of oceanic plates
can subduct beneath other plates
dense
basaltic rock
7-10km thick
features of continental plates
25-75km thick
less dense
made of granitic rock
