Plate Boundary TypesPlate Boundary Types

Divergent plate boundaryDivergent plate boundary A boundary where A boundary where

2 plates are 2 plates are moving AWAY from moving AWAY from each othereach other

Seen in mid ocean Seen in mid ocean ridgesridges

IcelandIceland

Mid ocean ridgeMid ocean ridge

Convergent plate boundariesConvergent plate boundaries A plate boundary where 2 plates A plate boundary where 2 plates

move TOWARD each othermove TOWARD each other

What is happening at the plate What is happening at the plate boundary?boundary?

Oceanic Plate

Oceanic Plate

SubductionSubduction When 2 plates converge, one plate When 2 plates converge, one plate

MAY move downwards UNDER the MAY move downwards UNDER the other – this is called SUBDUCTIONother – this is called SUBDUCTION

Which plate is subducting?Which plate is subducting? What is happening to the subducted What is happening to the subducted

plate?plate?

Transform Transform plate plate boundaryboundary

A plate A plate boundary boundary where 2 where 2 plates slide plates slide past each past each otherother

Pacific Plate

North American Plate

Transform PlatesTransform Plates The area where these plates meet is The area where these plates meet is

called a called a transform faulttransform fault The San Andreas Fault in California is The San Andreas Fault in California is

possibly the most famouspossibly the most famous

Pt Reyes, California Pt Reyes, California