Types of Plate Boundaries

Types of Plate Boundaries Scientists identify the boundaries

between two plates by the plate movement.

There are three types of plate boundaries: 1. Divergent2. Convergent3. Transform

Divergent BoundariesA divergent boundary is a boundary where two plates are moving away from each other.

Divergent Boundaries

This is an example of a divergent boundary.

Bridge across the Alfagaria Rift Valley in southwest Iceland, that is part of the boundary between the Eurasian and North American continental tectonic plates.

Divergent Boundaries A Rift Valley is a deep valley located

on divergent boundaries. Remember the mid-ocean ridge? The

middle part of the mid-ocean ridge is called a rift valley.

Rift = crack

Divergent Boundaries As divergent boundaries widen rift

valleys form and create new crust from magma that makes its way to the surface.

Convergent Boundaries A Convergent Boundary is a

boundary between two plates that are moving toward each other.

Convergent Boundaries

Subduction Boundary – When an oceanic plate plunges beneath another plate it is said to be sub-ducting beneath the overriding plate. This boundary between the two plates is a subduction boundary.

These boundaries can occur between two ocean plates or and ocean and continental plate.

One important feature is a deep-sea trench. These form along the subduction zone.

Convergent Boundaries

Collision Boundary – The boundary that forms when two continents collide is called a collision boundary.

Mountain ranges are usually formed along such boundaries.

The Himalayan Mountains are an example of a collision boundary.

Transform Boundary A Transform Boundary is a

boundary between two plates that are sliding past each other.

Transform Boundaries Movement along transform

boundaries is not uniform and can sometimes cause earthquakes.

The San Andreas Fault in North America is an example of a Transform Boundary.

Three Types of Boundaries