Plate Tectonics

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Plate Tectonics
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Plate Tectonics

• Earths crust is divided into huge sections
  called plates.
• These plates are constantly moving. They move
  from 1-4 inches each year.
• Fault lines are found along plate boundaries.

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Earth is like a chocolate dipped Ice Cream Cone
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3 Types of Plate Movements

• 1. Away from each other
• Found underneath oceans
• 2. Towards each other
• 3. Side by side

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Plates move away from each other

• 1. Sea floor opens up
• 2. Hot molten rock fills the
  opening
• 3. Builds up to form a mountain chain called a
  Mid-Ocean Ridge.
• 4. Eventually forms Islands

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Islands forming in the Caribbean Sea
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Plates move towards each other

• Subduction the heavy plate goes under the
  lighter plate and pushes it up.
• This forms high mountains that are often
  volcanic.
• An example of this is the Himalayan Mountains

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Plates move side by side

• The land crumples to form low mountains (often
  volcanic)
• An example of this type of movement is the San
  Andreas fault in California.
• It is also why Baja California is separated from
  mainland Mexico. (see page 588)