Plate Tectonics
The earth crust is broken into large pieces call plates. These plates have
been shown to move relative to each other. There are 3 major types
of plate boundaries that are a function of the movement that occurs at
each of these boundaries. When two plates move together or "converge" a
convergent plate boundary forms. Usually a Subduction
Zone is formed where one plate is forced under the other. When a plate
splits and moves apart, this is called a divergent
plate boundary. The mid Ocean Ridge and the red sea are examples of
divergent plate boundaries. If two plates slide past each other transform
faults are formed, this is what is occurring at the San Andreas Fault in
California.
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