Which plates are constructive and which are destructive?
A constructive plate boundary occurs when two plates move away from each other. Find out more about constructive plate margins. A destructive plate boundary occurs when an oceanic plate is forced under (or subducts) a continental plate.
What is an example of a constructive plate boundary?
A constructive plate boundary, sometimes called a divergent plate margin, occurs when plates move apart. Volcanoes are formed as magma wells up to fill the gap, and eventually new crust is formed. An example of a constructive plate boundary is the mid-Atlantic Ridge.
What are the 3 types of plate boundaries are they considered constructive or destructive?
There are three main types of plate boundary. These are convergent (destructive), divergent (constructive) and conservative. The direction of plate movement dictates the features and processes associated with each tectonic plate boundary.
What are the 2 plate movements?
The movement of the plates creates three types of tectonic boundaries: convergent, where plates move into one another; divergent, where plates move apart; and transform, where plates move sideways in relation to each other. They move at a rate of one to two inches (three to five centimeters) per year.
Where is a destructive plate boundary?
A destructive plate boundary happens where an oceanic and continental plate move towards each other. The heavier, more dense oceanic plate is forced under the continental plate. As it sinks below the continental plate the oceanic plate melts due to friction in the subduction zone. The crust becomes molten called magma.
What is the difference between destructive and collision plate boundaries?
Destructive (or convergent) is where the two plate push into each other, but one – the oceanic plate – is heavier and more dense, so is pushed under the lighter continental plate, this is known as subduction. Collision are when two plates push together, as above, but they’re both continental plates.
What is a destructive boundary?
Destructive plate boundaries At a destructive plate boundary (also called convergent boundaries) two plates move towards another. One plate is then pushed underneath the other. (It is the heavier plate that is forced beneath the lighter plate).
Where are destructive plate boundaries?
Destructive plate margins occur where an oceanic and continental plate move towards each other. Examples below include the Pacific Plate and Eurasian Plate and the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate.
What do destructive plate margins form?
Destructive plate margins A destructive plate margin usually involves an oceanic plate and a continental plate. The plates move towards one another and this movement can cause earthquakes. As the plates collide, the oceanic plate is forced beneath the continental plate. This is known as subduction .
What are the 3 causes of plate movement?
Scientists have theorized three mechanisms that cause plate movement on Earth. These three mechanisms are thermal convection, ridge push, and slab pull.
What are the three types of plates movement?
Movement in narrow zones along plate boundaries causes most earthquakes. Most seismic activity occurs at three types of plate boundaries—divergent, convergent, and transform.
Where is a constructive plate boundary?
Constructive (tensional) plate margins occur where plates move apart. Examples below include the South American Plate and African Plate and the Eurasian Plate and North American Plate. Constructive boundaries are mainly located under the sea, e.g. the Mid Atlantic Ridge.
What happens at a constructive plate margin?
Constructive plate margins. At a constructive plate margin the plates move apart from one another. When this happens the magma from the mantle rises up to make (or construct) new land in the form of a shield volcano. The movement of the plates over the mantle can cause earthquakes.
How are shield volcanoes formed at constructive plate margins?
At a constructive plate margin the plates move apart from one another. When this happens the magma from the mantle rises up to make (or construct) new land in the form of a shield volcano.
What type of plate boundary causes destructive plate boundaries?
Destructive plate margins A destructive plate margin usually involves an oceanic plate and a continental plate. The plates move towards one another and this movement can cause earthquakes. As the plates collide, the oceanic plate is forced beneath the continental plate.
Where do most eruptions occur along constructive plate margins?
Eruptions along constructive plate margins mainly occur underwater. Pillow lavas are formed as lava is rapidly cooled on the sea floor. In the North Atlantic the extrusion of magma has been so great it created the largest volcanic island in the world, Iceland.