Plate Tectonics

1. Plate Tectonics By Zoe King

2. The Theory of Plate Tectonics The theory of plate tectonics was created by Alfred Wegener, who was born on November the 1st 1880 in Berlin Germany. In 1912 he hypothesised that the continents of earth were moving but he had no evidence to prove this so no one believed him till later on in the century .

3. Structure of the Earth Mantle Outer Core Core Crust

4. Plate Boundaries • Plate boundaries are found at the edge of the lithosphere and are of three types, convergent, divergent, seduction zone and slip strike . Wide zones of deformation are usually characteristic of plate boundaries because of the interaction between two plates. The three boundaries are characterized by their distinct motions.

5. Divergent Plate Boundaries • a Divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary (also known as a constructive boundary or an extensional boundary) is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. These areas can form on the end of continents but eventually form ocean basins. Divergent boundaries within continents initially produce rifts which produce rift valleys. Therefore, most active divergent plate boundaries are between oceanic plates and are often called mid-oceanic ridges. Divergent boundaries also form volcanic islands which occur when the plates move apart to produce gaps which molten lava rises to fill. Thus creating a shield volcano which would eventually build up to become a volcanic island.