plate tectonics causes of plate tectonics plate boundaries
TRANSCRIPT
Plate TectonicsCauses of Plate Tectonics
Plate Boundaries
The lithosphere is broken into separate sections called plates. These plates “float” on top of the Asthenosphere.
The theory of plate tectonics explains the formation, movement, and subduction of Earth’s plates.
The crust and part of the upper mantle = lithosphere•100 km thick •Less dense than the material below it so it “floats”
The semi-molten layer below the lithosphere =Asthenosphere
The plates of the lithosphere float on the Asthenosphere
Ocean plates – lithospheric plates below the oceans
Continental plates – lithospheric plates below the continents
Hot magma in the Earth moves toward the surface, cools, then sinks again. This creates convection currents beneath the plates that cause the plates to move.
At the locations where two tectonic plates interact, a boundary between these plates exist.
There are three types of boundaries: divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries, and transform boundaries.
Boundary between two plates that are moving apart or rifting
RIFTING causes SEAFLOOR SPREADING
Mid-ocean ridges (2 oceanic plates pulling apart)
Rift valleys (2 continental plates pulling apart)
Fissure volcanoes (either type)
In sea-floor spreading, the two oceanic plates spread apart. Magma reaches the surface, cooling to form new crust. As a result, the ocean floors move like conveyor belts, carrying the continents along with them.
Evidence includes:eruptions of molten material, magnetic
stripes in the rock of the ocean floor, and the ages of the rocks themselves (youngest closest to the mid-ocean ridge).
Boundaries between two plates that are colliding
There are 3 types…
Ocean –Continental Convergent
More dense oceanic plate colliding with a less dense continental plate
Subduction Zone: where the more dense plate (oceanic) slides under the less dense plate (continental)
Mountains and possibly volcanoes Examples: Cascade Mtns in Oregon,
Washington and Andes Mtns in South America.
Trenches (underwater canyons) on ocean floor
Examples: Marianas Trench in Pacific Ocean
Ocean-Ocean Convergent
The less dense ocean plate slides under the more dense ocean plate creating a subduction zone.
Island Arcs may form due to volcanic activity at this boundary. Examples: Caribbean Islands, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Aleutian Islands.
Trenches also form on ocean floor
Continent-Continent Convergent
Continental plate colliding with another continental plate.
Plates have similar density so both plates thrust (push) up.
Fault Block and Folded Mountain Ranges are formed.
Examples: Himalayan Mtns, Appalachian Mtns.
Boundary between two plates that are sliding past each other
EARTHQUAKES occur along these type of boundaries
Examples: San Andreas Fault in California