In the diagrams above you can see that the continental crust is beginning to separate creating a diverging plate boundary. When a divergence occurs within a continent it is called rifting. Molten rock from the asthenosphere rises to the surface, forcing the continent to break and separate.



Convergent boundaries
The amount of crust on the surface of the earth remains relatively constant. Therefore, when a divergence (or separation) occurs in one area, a convergence (or collision) must occur in another area. Three types of converging plate boundaries exist: oceanic-continental, oceanic-oceanic and continental-continental.


Transform boundaries
A transform boundary, or transform fault, involves plates sliding past one another without the construction or destruction of crust. The direction of these transform faults can change. However, they generally move parallel to the general direction of the plates. An example of a transform boundary is the San Andreas fault in California.

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Plate Tectonics Links

Plate tectonics
Divergent boundaries
Convergent boundaries
Transform boundaries
Fault Zones

Earthquakes

What are Earthquakes
Focus and Epicenter
P (Primary) Waves
S (Secondary) Waves
Surface Waves
Measuring Earthquakes waves
Predicting Earthquakes
Damages by Earthquake

Other Useful Links

For kids
Preparing for an Earthquake