Plate Boundaries

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What are plate boundaries?

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Plate boundaries are the edges where two tectonic plates meet, and they can be classified into three main types: divergent, convergent, and transform.

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What is a divergent boundary?

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A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move away from each other, often resulting in the formation of new crust, such as mid-ocean ridges.

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What is a convergent boundary?

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A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates collide or come together, which can lead to the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

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What is a transform boundary?

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A transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing friction and earthquakes.

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What is an example of a divergent boundary?

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An example of a divergent boundary is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American plates are moving apart.

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What is an example of a convergent boundary?

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An example of a convergent boundary is the Himalayas, formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.

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What is an example of a transform boundary?

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An example of a transform boundary is the San Andreas Fault in California, where the Pacific and North American plates slide past each other.

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What drives the movement of tectonic plates?

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The movement of tectonic plates is driven by convection currents in the asthenosphere, which is the semi-fluid layer beneath the Earth's crust.

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What happens at a subduction zone?

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At a subduction zone, one tectonic plate is forced under another, leading to volcanic activity and the formation of deep ocean trenches.

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What geological features are formed at divergent boundaries?

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Geological features formed at divergent boundaries include mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys, and new oceanic crust.