Plate Boundaries

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is a type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates move towards one another, often resulting in one plate being forced below the other, leading to geological features such as mountains or deep ocean trenches.

Front

What happens at divergent boundaries?

Back

At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust as magma rises to the surface, often creating features like mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys.

Front

Define transform boundary.

Back

A transform boundary is a type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past one another horizontally, causing friction and often resulting in earthquakes.

Front

What geological feature is commonly associated with convergent boundaries?

Back

Common geological features associated with convergent boundaries include mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A rift valley is a lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates, characterized by steep walls and often filled with water, such as the East African Rift.

Front

What occurs at a transform boundary?

Back

At a transform boundary, tectonic plates slide past each other, which can cause earthquakes due to the build-up of stress along faults.

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates pull apart, leading to the expansion of ocean basins.

Front

What type of landform is created at divergent boundaries between oceanic plates?

Back

At divergent boundaries between oceanic plates, mid-ocean ridges are formed, which are underwater mountain ranges created by volcanic activity.

Front

What is the significance of the Ring of Fire?

Back

The Ring of Fire is a major area in the Pacific Ocean basin where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur, primarily due to the movement of tectonic plates along convergent and transform boundaries.

Front

How do convergent boundaries affect the Earth's crust?

Back

Convergent boundaries can lead to the thickening of the Earth's crust, the formation of mountain ranges, and the creation of volcanic activity as one plate is subducted beneath another.