Download Plate Boundaries and Interactions

From Biologic to Geologic Evolution
Lets look at the Earth!
With Your Group:
How does our new knowledge of refraction
through different densities give us
information about the earth?
Evidence From Earthquakes: P&S waves
P (primary) waves= Compression (push/pull waves)
S (secondary) waves= Transverse (up/down waves)
Mohorovicic (Moho) Discontinuity
Plate Tectonics
Plate Boundaries and Interactions
The Theory of Plate Tectonics

The Earth’s surface is divided into plates that move and interact with
one another.
Overview of Plate Boundary Interactions
Divergent Plate Boundaries
•
Plates are moving apart. New crust and lithosphere is “created”
•
Associated with ocean ridges, rift valleys, volcanism, earthquakes
and high heat flow.
Examples found on Earth: Mid-Atlantic Ridge, African Rift Valley, Iceland
Convergent Plate Boundaries
•
Plates are moving towards each
other. Old crust and lithosphere is
“recycled”.
•
Associated with ocean trenches,
island arcs and mountain ranges.
•
Earthquakes and volcanism are
common.
Examples found on Earth: Himalayas, Pacific Ring of Fire,
Andes Mountains, Marianas Trench
Transform Plate Boundaries
•
Plates slide past each other, oftentimes
connecting two ridges or trenches.
•
Crust is deformed or fractured;
Lithosphere is neither created nor
recycled.
•
Long faults and earthquakes common.
Examples found on Earth: San Andreas Fault
Plate Boundaries, Earthquakes and Volcanic Activity
Continental Drift: Pangea
Matching Fossils
Matching Mountain Ranges
Glacial Evidence
Magnetism
Earthquake Patterns
Age of Rock
Hot Spots