Transcript The Theory of Plate Tectonics

The Theory of Plate
Tectonics
3.3 notes
How plates move
 The theory of plate tectonics states that
pieces of Earth’s lithosphere are in
slow, constant motion, driven by
convection currents in the mantle.
 A plate is a section of the lithosphere
that slowly moves over the mantle,
carrying pieces of continental and
oceanic crust.
Plate Boundaries
 Faults- breaks in Earth’s crust where rocks
slip past each other.
 Divergent boundary is the place where 2
plates move apart, or diverge, from each
other. A rift valley (deep valley) occurs at
divergent boundaries.
 Convergent boundaries occur when 2
plates come together, or converge.
Mountain ranges form along these
boundaries.
Plate Boundaries
 Transform boundaries occur
when 2 plates slip past each
other, moving in opposite
directions.
 Earthquakes often occur along
these boundaries.
Plate Boundaries