Understanding Plate Boundaries

Front

Collision Boundary

Back

Two Continental plates move towards each other. As they are less dense, they force each other up creating fold mountains e.g. Himalayas

Front

Constructive Boundary

Back

Two plates move apart allowing magma to escape from the mantle. It cools rapidly on the sea floor creating MID OCEAN RIDGES.

Front

Conservative Boundary

Back

Two plates slide past each other. They often interlock causing pressure to build. Eventually the pressure will become too great and a slip will occur releasing large amounts of energy in the form of an earthquake. A FAULT LINE is created

Front

Destructive boundary

Back

A continental and oceanic plate are forced together. The denser oceanic plate goes under (subducts) the continental plate. As it goes into the mantle and OCEAN TRENCH or SUBDUCTION ZONE is created. Earthquakes occur as the plates often interlock and slip and volcanoes are created when the oceanic plate melts in the mantle causing magma and gas to escape to the earths surface.