Question

What is meant by plate tectonics and explain different plate boundaries?

Answer 1

Instructions:

• First explain the term plate tectonics and
• Explain the different plate interactions.

Answer:

Plate tectonics- The phenomenon of movement of tectonic plates due to the thermal energy from the mantle produces mountain ranges, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

There are three types of plate interactions

Convergent plate boundary:

• Plates move towards each other.
• Zone of subduction.
• Formation of oceanic trenches, volcanoes & fold mountains (Eg: Himalayas).

Divergent boundary

• Pulls away from each other as magma pushes up from the mantle.
• Leads to the formation of faults and mid oceanic ridges.

Conservative boundary

• Slides horizontally past each other.
• Also known as transform boundary.
• Formation of transform faults (Eg: San Andreas Fault).