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diverge plates animation.gif (16916 bytes) This is an example of a divergent plate boundary (where the plates move away from each other). The Atlantic Ocean was created by this process. The mid-Atlantic Ridge is an area where new sea floor is being created.

 

diverge plates with opening rift valley animation.gif (18569 bytes) As the rift valley expands two continental plates have been constructed from the original one. The molten rock continues to push the crust apart creating new crust as it does.

 

diverge3 animation widening ocean.gif (17635 bytes) As the rift valley expands, water collects forming a sea. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is now 2,000 meters above the adjacent sea floor, which is at a depth of about 6,000 meters below sea level.

 

diverge4 animated sequence.gif (25011 bytes) The sea floor continues to spread and the plates get bigger and bigger. This process can be seen all over the world and produces about 17 square kilometers of new plate every year.

 

  PLATES ARE CREATED: In the diagram below 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. A plume of hot magma rises from deep within the mantle pushing up the crust and causing pressure forcing the continent to break and separate. Lava flows and earthquakes would be seen. In the diagram below 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. A plume of hot magma rises from deep within the mantle pushing up the crust and causing pressure forcing the continent to break and separate. Lava flows and earthquakes would be seen.
 
   

Himalayas collision.gif (37280 bytes)

 

 

The Earth is a dynamic or constantly changing planet. The thin, fragile plates slide very slowly on the mantle's upper layer. This sliding of the plates is caused by the mantle's convection currents slowly turning over and over. This overturn is like a conveyor belt that moves the plates of the crust.
 
These plates are in constant motion causing earthquakes, mountain building, volcanism, the production of "new" crust and the destruction of "old" crust. The following cards will teach you more about the Earth's plates.

Click on the "Next" button to see where these plates are located.

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