Describe the three types of plate movement: transform, convergent, and divergent.
1. Transform plate movement: This type of plate movement occurs when two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally in opposite directions. The movement is typically characterized by a series of earthquakes along a fault line. The San Andreas Fault in California is a well-known example of a transform plate boundary.
2. Convergent plate movement: This type of plate movement occurs when two tectonic plates collide with each other. The result of this collision can vary depending on the type of crust involved. When two oceanic plates collide, one plate may be forced beneath the other in a process known as subduction. This can create deep ocean trenches and volcanic activity. When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is typically subducted beneath the continental plate, resulting in the formation of mountain ranges. The collision of two continental plates can also result in the formation of mountain ranges through the process of crustal uplift and folding.
3. Divergent plate movement: This type of plate movement occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other. This movement typically occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where new crust is formed as magma rises up from the mantle and solidifies at the surface. As the plates move apart, they create a gap that is filled in by the formation of new crust. This process is known as seafloor spreading. Divergent plate boundaries can also occur on continents, leading to the formation of rift valleys where the crust is being pulled apart. One example of a divergent plate boundary on land is the East African Rift.