Plate Tectonics

The theory of plate tectonics is based on the theory that plate tectonics explain the formation, movement, and subduction of Earth’s plates.

Movement occurs along three type of plate boundaries.

1. Convergent boundaries

2. Divergent plate boundaries

3. Transform boundaries

There are about 18 plates making up our world

What drives the plates?

Convection currents

Divergent Plate Boundary

A place where two plates diverge, or pull apart. This happens along the mid-ocean ridge, or at a rift valley.

Sea-floor spreading at the mid-ocean ridge

Divergent plate boundary

Convergent plate boundary

The place where two plates come together or converge. This causes a collision. A collision may cause subduction, or mountain formation, depending on the density of the crusts colliding.

Convergent plate boundary

Transform plate boundary

A place where two plates slide past each other, or move in opposite directions.

Transform plate boundary

Transform plate boundary

Convergent plate boundary

Divergent plate boundary