Plate Boundaries

Boundary Types

!   A plate boundary is when two or more tectonic plates meet!

!   There are three types of boundaries: Divergent boundary, Convergent boundary, and transform boundary!

!   Each boundary type has it’s own set of geological features that occur at that type of boundary!

Divergent Boundary

!   A plate boundary when two or more plates are moving away from each other!

!   Features: mid-oceanic ridge forms when boundaries are located on ocean floor and rift valley!

!   Rift valleys can form on continents where the plates are separating!

!   The Red Sea occupies the rift valley that formed when the African and Arabian plate separated!

Vocab Word: Divergent Boundary

!   Word Parts:!

!   Pre: Di- separate/split!

!   Root: Verge- to move!

!   Suffix: Ent- state of being!

Teacher Definition !   When tectonic plates

move away from each other forming a rift or mid-oceanic ridge in Earth’s crust. Volcanic islands occur when a gap is produced and molten lava rises to fill the gap.!

Compare/Synonyms/Examples

!   Think of the movement of the plates, what other things have movement similar to a divergent boundary?!

!   Tug of war!

!   T in a road!

!   An explosion!

!   Mid-Atlantic Ridge!

Contrast/Antonyms/Non-Examples

!   What types of things have movement that is not like the movement in a divergent boundary?!

!   Nascar Race!

!   Implosion!

Visual

!   In the visual box draw a picture that will help you remember the movement of the plates. You may use one of the examples we came up with or a new example. Be sure to use arrows to help show how items in your drawing are moving.!

!   Do not use an illustration of plate tectonics, try to come up with something different.!

In my own words

!   Put the definition of the word into your own words.!

!   Describe the word how you would to a student in 6th grade. They won’t know the same words you do, so simplify it.!

Convergent Boundary !   A plate boundary when two or more plates are moving toward each

other!

!   Three types of collisions: oceanic crust – oceanic crust, oceanic crust – continental crust, and continental crust – continental crust!

!   Oceanic-Continental collision features: the oceanic crust is pushed below the continental crust forming a subduction zone, which creates a oceanic trench and volcanoes!

!   Continental-Continental collision features: The edges of the plates are pushed together and rise to form mountain ranges!

!   Example: Himalayan mountains!

!   Oceanic-Oceanic collision features: a subduction zone which causes a oceanic trench and island arcs!

!   Example: Hawaii!

Convergent Boundary

Vocab Word: Convergent Boundary

!   Word Parts:!

!   Pre: Con- with/together!

!   Root: Verge- to move!

!   Suffix: Ent- state of being!

Teacher Definition !   When two tectonic

plates move toward each other. If the plates are of equal density the lithosphere is lifted to form a mountain chain. If the densities are unequal then one plate is pushed into a subduction zone!

Transform Boundary

!   A plate boundary when two or more plates are sliding past each other horizontally !

!   Features: very strong earthquakes!

!   Example: San Andres fault is a transform boundary between pacific plate and the north American plate!

Vocab Word: Transform Boundary

!   Word Parts:!

!   Pre:!

!   Root: Trans- across!

!   Suffix: form- shape!

Teacher Definition !   When two tectonic plates slide horizontally past

each other in opposite directions!

!   On page 72 of your ISN draw and label a diagram of each boundary type. Draw arrows to indicate the direction the plates are moving and label major features of each boundary type: volcano, island arc, trench, rift valley, fault. Also label each plate as oceanic or continental crust. Images can be found on pages 249-251.!