Tectonic Plates Book

The first type of boundery is Divergent boundery. In plate tectonics, a divergent boundery or divergentplate boundary also known as a constructive boundery or an extensional boundary is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. The mid Atlantic Ridge is an example of a divergent boundery. Also a Divergent boundery creates mid-atlantic-ridges.Most divergent plate boundaries are underwater and form submarine mountain ranges called oceanic spreading ridges. While the process is volcanic, volcanoes and earthquakes along oceanic spreading ridges are not as violent as they are at convergent plate bounderies.

The second type of boundery is a Divergent boundery. As a result of pressure, friction, and plate material melting in the mantle, earthquakes and volcanoes are common near convergent boundaries. When two plates move towards one another, they form a continental collision. They basically clollide together causeing rough, rocky, and big mountains that are very dangerous and famous.The West Coast of South America is a convergent boundary between the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate. The collision of this oceanic and continental plate was how the Andes Mountains were formed. Convergent boundaries can also form islands. What an example of this is when you put your hand, flat, and faced down on your other hand. One plate goes on top and the other one goes beneath the first one.

The final boundery is the Transform boundery. While the process is volcanic, volcanoes and earthquakes along oceanic spreading ridges are not as violent as they are at convergent plate boundaries. The third type of plate boundary occurs where tectonic plates slide horizontally past each other. This is known as a transform plate boundary. An example The San Andreas Fault is a transform boundary, which means the two plates are sliding alongside each other. The western half of California is moving north because it is part of the Pacific Plate, and the eastern half of California is moving south because it is part of the North American Plate.