Investigating Plate Margins

Investigating Plate Margins

Plate margins are the edges of the plates, where all the power of

nature is released in earthquakes and volcanoes. There are three main

types of plate margins: -

Spreading Boundaries

There are two types of spreading boundary

Ridges, where new rock is formed, pushing the plates apart, and Rift,

where the plates pull apart, and the earth between them sinks.

On the ocean floor the plates are spreading. All along the mid ocean

ridge, volcanic activity is pouring new lava out onto the seabed. As

it hardens, it becomes new rock, gradually pushing the crust, on

either side of it away. Another type of spreading boundary is the

African Rift Valley. As the two plates are moving apart, the earth

between them is becoming stretched. As it stretches it sinks, because

it is thinner. It is a little bit like taking a piece of gum, and

stretching it out. The pieces in your fingers stay thick, but the

piece in the middle gets thinner and thinner, as it is stretched.

Converging Boundaries

Converging (coming together) Boundaries, are where two plates are

banging into each other. What happens when they collide depends on the

type of plate they are.

In a subduction zone one plate is being pushed beneath the other. It

happens when a lighter plate hits a heavy plate. The lighter plate is

pushed under the heavier one. This often happens where continents meet

the ocean. As the lighter ocean crust is forced downwards, it takes

water with it. The water causes the rock to melt at lower temperatures

than normal. The pressure inside the earth is much greater than at the

surface, it increases the deeper you go. ...

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...with tourism.

Good jobs can be found in many ways and a lot of profit can be made,

if the area is used successfully.

Researchers and scientists have also made use of the active areas by

discovering more information on a volcano, some are even fascinated

about the magnificent explosions and are always on the look out for

the next big eruption.

As you can see many people have made different uses from active areas

and have become successful in different ways. Special warning systems

are able to prepare people in advance, so they can be safely evacuated

from the area. However, Living near a volcano can be a threat to your

life and at the end of the day it comes down to a person's own opinion

and whether they are willing to make use of the facilities that are

offered, but still be aware of the risks they are taking.