Tectonic Plate Boundaries and Related Concepts

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Divergent

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A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move apart, often forming ridges or rift valleys.

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Convergent

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A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, resulting in subduction or mountain building.

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Transform

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A tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally, often causing earthquakes.

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Destructive

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A convergent plate boundary, typically involving oceanic crust, where one plate subducts beneath another, leading to volcanic activity and the destruction of crust.

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Constructive

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A divergent plate boundary, especially in oceanic settings, where magma rises to create new crust.

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Hot Spot

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A localized area of volcanic activity caused by a plume of hot mantle rock rising to the surface.

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Mantle Plume

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A column of hot, buoyant rock rising from deep within the Earth's mantle.

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Dormant

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Describes a volcano that is not currently erupting but is expected to erupt again.

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Convection

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The transfer of heat in a fluid through the movement of warmer, less dense material rising and cooler, denser material sinking.

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Subduct

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To sink or slide beneath another tectonic plate at a convergent boundary.