Ch 6.3 Plate Boundaries and Features

A fault is a fracture in rock where movement has occurred

At transforming boundaries two plates slide past one another along a fault line. This can cause Earthquakes

At converging boundaries, two plates move towards each other and collide. 

• Subduction occurs when an oceanic and continental plate collide. The oceanic plate slides under the continental plate as it is denser. This can create a mountain range, volcanoes and ocean trench.

• Convergence of two continental plates creates mountain ranges

• Convergence of two oceanic plates creates ocean trenches and undersea volcanoes, possibly creating an island arc.

At diverging boundaries, two plates move away from one another as magma rises and pushes on the plates. Water may enter the rift valley, forming a sea and eventually ocean.

The ring of fire is an area around the Pacific Ocean where a large number of volcanoes are found due to the location of tectonic boundaries.