When two continental plates push together, their edges crumple and fold. This process creates huge mountain ranges like the Himalayas or the Alps, because neither plate can sink beneath the other.
Section 1
Continental Plates Collide and Build Mountains
When two continental plates push together, their edges crumple and fold. This process creates huge mountain ranges like the Himalayas or the Alps, because neither plate can sink beneath the other.
Section 2
Oceanic Plates Sink and Create Trenches and Volcanoes
When an oceanic plate meets another plate, the denser oceanic plate sinks beneath it. This subduction forms deep-ocean trenches, island arcs, or coastal volcanoes, as melted rock rises through the top plate.
Section 3
Tectonic Plates Grind Past Each Other at Transform Boundaries
At transform boundaries, two plates slide past each other horizontally. Their edges scrape and grind, sometimes causing earthquakes. Unlike other boundaries, no crust is created or destroyed during this movement.
Section 4
Students Model Plate Movements to Understand Collisions
By pushing together napkins or clay, students can see how tectonic plates interact. These simple models help show folding, subduction, or sliding, making plate boundary processes easier to understand.
Section 5
Scientists Use Plate Tectonics to Predict Geologic Events
The theory of plate tectonics helps scientists explain Earth’s history and predict future events. By studying plate movements, geologists forecast earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain growth along plate boundaries.
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Section 1
Continental Plates Collide and Build Mountains
When two continental plates push together, their edges crumple and fold. This process creates huge mountain ranges like the Himalayas or the Alps, because neither plate can sink beneath the other.
Section 2
Oceanic Plates Sink and Create Trenches and Volcanoes
When an oceanic plate meets another plate, the denser oceanic plate sinks beneath it. This subduction forms deep-ocean trenches, island arcs, or coastal volcanoes, as melted rock rises through the top plate.
Section 3
Tectonic Plates Grind Past Each Other at Transform Boundaries
At transform boundaries, two plates slide past each other horizontally. Their edges scrape and grind, sometimes causing earthquakes. Unlike other boundaries, no crust is created or destroyed during this movement.
Section 4
Students Model Plate Movements to Understand Collisions
By pushing together napkins or clay, students can see how tectonic plates interact. These simple models help show folding, subduction, or sliding, making plate boundary processes easier to understand.
Section 5
Scientists Use Plate Tectonics to Predict Geologic Events
The theory of plate tectonics helps scientists explain Earth’s history and predict future events. By studying plate movements, geologists forecast earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain growth along plate boundaries.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter