1.2.5

Plate Margins

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Plate Margins

Plate margins describe the location on Earth where 2 tectonic plates meet or sit next to each other. The 3 main types of plate margin are destructive, constructive and conservative margins.

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Destructive plate margins

  • The oceanic plate slides beneath the continental plate. The point at which this happens is called a subduction zone.
  • The rocks catch against one another as the plates are not smooth surfaces.
  • The pressure between the plates builds until the plates can't take the stress.
  • They slip past each other, which can cause both plates to move and, as a result, the ground may shake (earthquake).
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Constructive plate margins

  • At constructive plate margins, the plates move apart (diverge).
  • The convection currents diverge (push apart) and cause a gap to form between the plates.
  • Magma rises up to fill the gap that is created between the 2 plates.
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Conservative plate margins

  • At conservative plate margins, plates are sliding past each other.
  • The plates are made of rock that has jagged edges so they catch and snag against one another.
  • Friction and pressure between the plates builds until the plates can't take the stress.
  • They slip past each other, which can cause both plates to move and, as a result, the ground may shake (earthquake).

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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