6th Grade* Types Of Tectonic Plate Interactions, 45% OFF - Free Printable

Explanation:
Let’s fill in the chart step by step using what we know about plate boundaries.

First, recall the three types:

1. Convergent boundary: Two plates move *toward* each other.
- If one is oceanic and one is continental → oceanic plate subducts (goes under), forming a trench and volcanoes (e.g., Andes).
- If both are oceanic → one subducts, forming island arcs (e.g., Japan).
- If both are continental → they crumple up, forming big mountains (e.g., Himalayas).
- Motion: plates move toward each other.
- Effect: destructive (one plate is destroyed/subducted, or crust is compressed).
- Topography on land: high mountain ranges (e.g., Himalayas, Andes).
- Topography in ocean: deep trenches (e.g., Mariana Trench).
- Volcanic activity: Yes — especially where oceanic plate subducts (volcanic arcs).
- Earthquake activity: Yes — strong and deep quakes near subduction zones.
- Real-world examples: Himalayas (continental-continental), Andes (oceanic-continental), Japan (oceanic-oceanic).

2. Divergent boundary: Two plates move *away* from each other.
- On land: forms rift valleys (e.g., East African Rift).
- In ocean: forms mid-ocean ridges (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge), where new crust forms.
- Motion: plates move apart.
- Effect: constructive — new crust is made as magma rises.
- Topography on land: rift valleys (long, narrow depressions).
- Topography in ocean: mid-ocean ridges (underwater mountain chains).
- Volcanic activity: Yes — frequent but usually gentle eruptions (basaltic lava).
- Earthquake activity: Yes — shallow, moderate quakes.
- Real-world examples: Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East African Rift.

3. Transform boundary: Two plates slide *horizontally* past each other.
- No creation or destruction of crust.
- Motion: plates slide past each other.
- Effect: neither constructive nor destructive — but causes stress and friction.
- Topography: Usually no major features you “see” easily — just a fault line (e.g., San Andreas Fault). Sometimes offset rivers or roads.
- Volcanic activity: No — no magma rises because no subduction or rifting.
- Earthquake activity: Yes — often strong, shallow quakes (e.g., San Francisco 1906).
- Real-world examples: San Andreas Fault (California), North Anatolian Fault (Turkey).

Now fill the chart accordingly:

| Category | Convergent | Divergent | Transform |
|---------|------------|-----------|-----------|
| Motion | Toward each other | Away from each other | Slide past each other |
| Effect | Destructive (subduction or crumpling) | Constructive (new crust formed) | Neither (lateral motion only) |
| Topography – on land | Mountain ranges (e.g., Himalayas, Andes) | Rift valleys (e.g., East African Rift) | Usually no visible feature; fault line (e.g., San Andreas) |
| Topography – in ocean | Deep trenches (e.g., Mariana Trench) | Mid-ocean ridges (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge) | Fracture zones (offset ridge segments) |
| Volcanic Activity? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Earthquake Activity? | Yes (often deep & strong) | Yes (shallow, moderate) | Yes (shallow, often strong) |
| 2 real places | Himalayas, Andes | Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East African Rift | San Andreas Fault, North Anatolian Fault |

Also, for the diagram labeling (left side):
The three diagrams at the top show:
- Left: two plates moving together → Convergent
- Middle: two plates sliding past → Transform
- Right: two plates pulling apart → Divergent

For convection currents:
- At divergent boundary: hot mantle rises → pushes plates apart.
- At convergent boundary: cooler, denser plate sinks (subducts) into mantle — that sinking is part of the convection current.
- Hot spot: plume of hot material rises from deep mantle, melting crust above → creates volcanoes (e.g., Hawaii), *not* at a plate boundary.

Final Answer:
Convergent: Motion = toward each other; Effect = destructive; Topography (land) = mountains, (ocean) = trenches; Volcanic = Yes; Earthquakes = Yes; Examples = Himalayas, Andes
Divergent: Motion = away; Effect = constructive; Topography (land) = rift valleys, (ocean) = mid-ocean ridges; Volcanic = Yes; Earthquakes = Yes; Examples = Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East African Rift
Transform: Motion = slide past; Effect = neither; Topography = fault lines (hard to see); Volcanic = No; Earthquakes = Yes; Examples = San Andreas Fault, North Anatolian Fault