Download Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics
Notes
Plate Tectonics
• Plates – broken pieces of
lithosphere.
Plate Tectonics
• Theory of plate tectonics – states that
pieces of Earth’s lithosphere are in slow,
constant motion, driven by convection
currents.
Plate Tectonics
• The Mantle’s constant motion drives the
plates.
Plate Tectonics
• Here is what it looks like
•
Plate Tectonics
• Plate boundaries are where plates meet.
• Tectonic activities such as volcanoes, mountains,
earthquakes and many other activities occur here.
Plate Tectonics
• 1. Divergent Boundaries - plates that
move apart
– Causes rift valleys, sea floor spreading, midocean ridges.
Plate Tectonics
• 2. Convergent Boundaries - plates that
move toward each other.
– Cause subduction zones, trenches,
mountains, volcanoes.
Plate Tectonics
• 3. Transform Boundaries - plates that
slide against each other
– Causes earthquakes
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics