Geography Plates

Geography Plates

1. There are 7 plates

   • Major plates
     • African plate, American plate, Australian plate, Eurasian plate, Indian plate, Nazca plate, Pacific plate

2. Plate Movement

   • Plates seperate
     • When 2 plates pull apart a crack (fissure) is formed this allowes magma from the mantle to rise up through the opening
       • The magma cools and a new crust is formed. features such as volcanic islanad and mid ocean ridges are created as a result
         • This type of plate boundary is known as a constructive boundary as new land is formed
   • Plates collide
     • When 2 plates collide or push together the heavier one is pulled under the other
       • Heavier plate sinks into the mantle where it melts
         • the lighter plate is buckled and folded upwards
           • This is a destructive boundary as the crusy is destroyed
           • This forms fold mountains
   • Plates slide past eachother
     • When 2 plates slide past eachother it causes pressure to build up
       • When pressure is released earthquakes occur
         • this is known as a conservative boundary as land is neither created nor destroyed