Unit 3 - Essays - Plate Tectonics

Question 1

‘Convection currents are the most significant factor in the formation of landforms at divergent plate boundaries.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree?

Answer 1

‘Convection currents are the most significant factor in the formation of landforms at divergent plate boundaries.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree?

Point: Convection currents are the main reason why landforms at divergent boundaries form.
Point: But, especially on land, stretching and cracks in the Earth’s crust are also very important.
Point: The kind of lava (magma) that comes out also changes what landforms are created.
Point: The most important factor can change depending on where and when it happens.

Question 2

With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which subduction is involved in the formation of tectonic landforms.

Answer 2

With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which subduction is involved in the formation of tectonic landforms.

Point: Subduction zones are key in forming explosive volcanic landforms, especially stratovolcanoes and island arcs.
Point: Fold mountains can also result from subduction processes, especially at oceanic-continental boundaries.
Point: Subduction directly causes the deepest oceanic landforms—trenches—and associated accretionary wedges.
Point: Not all tectonic landforms depend on subduction—some form at divergent or hotspot boundaries.

Question 3

‘The movement of tectonic plates is determined by the process of subduction.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement?

Answer 3

‘The movement of tectonic plates is determined by the process of subduction.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement?

P1 – Subduction helps move plates, especially through slab pull
P2 – Plates also move apart at mid-ocean ridges (ridge push)
P3 – Plates can slide past each other without subduction
P4 – Some movements happen in places without subduction

Question 4

With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which the type of plate boundary determines the plate tectonic landforms present.

Answer 4

With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which the type of plate boundary determines the plate tectonic landforms present.

Point: Divergent (constructive) plate boundaries mostly create mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys.
Point: Convergent (destructive) boundaries create many different landforms like fold mountains, volcanoes, and deep trenches.
Point: Conservative (transform) boundaries mostly cause earthquakes but not many landforms.
Point: Not all landforms are caused by plate boundaries—some form away from them.