11.1.4

Plate Margins

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Plate Margins

When tectonic plates meet, we call it a plate margin (or plate boundary). The three main types of plate margin are:

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Destructive/convergent 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/divergent 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/transform 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).

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1Geography Skills

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