Plate Tectonics
Definition: (i) Plate-rigid slabs of the earth’s crust (There are two types, Oceanic and Continental)
(ii) Plate tectonics- relative movements of plates across the earth’s surface
(iii) Plate margin- point at which two plates meet
Major plates:
North American, South American, African, Eurasian, Antarctica, Indo-Australian, Pacific Plate
Minor plates:
Caribbean, Cocos, Nazca, Phillipines, Juan De Fuca, Arabian
Why do plates move:
The rising and sinking of convection cells or currents causing friction resulting in plate movement.
How do plates move:
Diverge/Constructive- away from each other
Converge/Destructive-towards each other
Transform/Conservative-parallel or alongside each other
Features occurring at each plate Boundary:
Convergent Zone- Volcanic Island Arc, Volcanoes, Fold Mountains, Subduction Zone, Deep Ocean Trenches, Earthquakes
Divergent- Sea-floor Spreading, Mid-Ocean Ridges, Volcanoes, Faulting, Earthquakes
Transform- Earthquakes
(ii) Plate tectonics- relative movements of plates across the earth’s surface
(iii) Plate margin- point at which two plates meet
Major plates:
North American, South American, African, Eurasian, Antarctica, Indo-Australian, Pacific Plate
Minor plates:
Caribbean, Cocos, Nazca, Phillipines, Juan De Fuca, Arabian
Why do plates move:
The rising and sinking of convection cells or currents causing friction resulting in plate movement.
How do plates move:
Diverge/Constructive- away from each other
Converge/Destructive-towards each other
Transform/Conservative-parallel or alongside each other
Features occurring at each plate Boundary:
Convergent Zone- Volcanic Island Arc, Volcanoes, Fold Mountains, Subduction Zone, Deep Ocean Trenches, Earthquakes
Divergent- Sea-floor Spreading, Mid-Ocean Ridges, Volcanoes, Faulting, Earthquakes
Transform- Earthquakes
