How can moving contiental plates change the surface of earth

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what plate is iceland on

how can moving continental plates
change earth surface

Moving continental plates can change the surface of the Earth in several ways. When plates move apart, a divergent boundary is formed, resulting in the formation of new crust. This process is known as seafloor spreading. As new crust is created, magma rises to fill the gap, forming underwater mountain ranges such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

On the other hand, when plates collide, a convergent boundary is formed. Depending on the types of plates involved, three scenarios can occur: continental-continental collision, oceanic-oceanic collision, or continental-oceanic collision. In these collisions, the denser plate is usually subducted (pushed beneath the other plate) into the Earth's mantle. This subduction can result in the formation of mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas.

Additionally, when plates slide past each other horizontally, a transform boundary is formed. Here, the plates grind against each other, resulting in intense pressure and friction. This can cause earthquakes and the formation of fault lines, such as the San Andreas Fault in California.

Now, to answer your specific question about Iceland, it is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is a divergent boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. This means that Iceland is situated on top of the boundary where the two plates are moving apart. As a result, Iceland experiences a high level of volcanic and geothermal activity.