tectonic plate formations

Question 1

constructive plate margins

Answer 1

At constructive plate margins, two plates are moving apart from eachother due to the opposite movements of convection currents in the mantle underneath. As they move apart, fissures are created through which magma forces its way to the surface, forming new land or shield volcanoes, as the magma is very hot and fluid. Earthquakes can also happen as a result of the magma breaking through the overlying crust

Question 2

destructive plate margins

Answer 2

,At destructive plate margins, an oceanic and continental plate are moving toward eachother. Since the oceanic plate is denser, it is subducted under the continental crust. This happens at the subduction zone. As the oceanic plate enters the mantle, it begins to melt which creates more magma, which breaks thorugh the crust forming steep sided composite volcanoes due to the viscous lava. This process also creates immense pressure and friction and earthquakes are caused by a release of seismic energy when the plates slip past each other.

Question 3

collision plate margins

Answer 3

At collision plate margins, plates of similar densities are forced towards eachother because of the mantle’s convection currents. Due to their similar densities, neither plate is subducted under the other, and so they instead collide and fold upwards, creating fold mountains

Question 4

conservative plate margins

Answer 4

At conservative plate margins, two plates of similar densities slide past eachother in opposite directions and at different speeds. This grinding between the two plates creates friction and builds stress energy, which is eventually released in the form of an earthquake, a release of the stress/seismic energy.