M8 L1: Convergent Boundary
I. Tectonic Boundaries
A. The border between plates
B. Moves very slowly in different directions
II. Convergent Boundaries
A. Destructive/Extinction Boundaries
B. When plates move toward each other
C. Continental-Continental Convergence
1. The collision of two continental plates
2. Neither plate subducts due to their equal density and buoyancy
3. In some cases, the older and denser continental plate subducts
slightly
4. The collision pressure results in the formation of mountains
5. Example: Eurasian-Indian Boundary
D. Oceanic-Continental Convergence
1. The collision of an oceanic and continental plate
2. The continental crust is lifted upwards, creating mountains
3. The subducting oceanic crust creates trenches
4. The subducted crust melts and turns to magma, causing volcanic
activity
5. Example: Nazca-South American Boundary
E. Oceanic-Oceanic Convergence
1. The older, denser oceanic plate sinks beneath the younger, less
dense oceanic plate
2. The subduction results in trenches and island arcs due to
underwater volcanic activity
III. Island Arcs
A. Island chains formed by volcanic activity due to Oceanic-Oceanic
Convergence
B. Experiences strong earthquakes due to stress from the subducted crust
IV. Subduction
A. The sinking of a denser, older plate under a less dense, newer plate
B. Results in volcanic activity and trenches
V. Trenches
A. Formed by subduction
B. The deepest part of the ocean floor
C. Example: Mariana Trench
VI. Subduction Zone
A. The portion of the oceanic crust that sinks in a continent-ocean collision
M8 L2: Divergent Boundary
I. Divergent Boundaries
A. Constructive Boundaries
B. When plates move away from one another
C. Mainly located underwater
D. Creates new crust between the diverging plates due to the rising magma
E. Causes earthquakes, valleys, and shield volcanoes
II. Mid-Atlantic Ridge
A. A slow-spreading ridge filled with underwater volcanoes
B. Interconnected ridges form the longest volcanic mountain range
C. Located at the boundary between the plates that form the Atlantic Ocean
D. Contains the zone of seafloor spreading
III. Seafloor Spreading
A. The expansion of the seafloor due to diverging oceanic plates
B. As oceanic plates diverge, magma rises and creates new crust, spreading
the seafloor
IV. Underwater Volcanoes
A. Accounts for 75% of new crust
B. May grow until they rise from the water
V. Underwater Volcanic Fissure
A. Vents that let magma and gases escape into the ocean
VI. Iceland
A. The landmass is about 18-25 million years old
B. Formed 60 million years ago when the Mid-Atlantic Ridge diverged,
leading to the creation of new crust
VII. Red Sea
A. Formed by the splitting of the Arabian and African landmasses
B. Will continue to widen
VIII. Afar Triple Junction
A. A point in the Afar Region where the African (Nubian), Somali, and
Arabian plates meet
M8 L3: Transform Boundary
I. Transform Boundary
A. When two plates slide past each other
B. The friction from sliding causes them to stick and create pressure, which is
released as strong earthquakes
C. Creates no volcanoes
D. Example: San Andreas Fault
II. Earthquakes in Transform Boundaries
A. Occurs close to the Earth’s Surface
B. Very large and destructive, reaching up to magnitude 8