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What is Plate Tectonic? Types of plate tectonics // Plate Margins or boundaries.

Plate tectonics :

The earth's crust is made up of several rigid and a solid plates. The term plate was first used by J. Tuzo Wilson, a Canadian geophysicist in 1965. Plate tectonic means the moment of plates.


Classification of plates :

Plates can be classified into two groups, these are-
1. Major plates : a. Indian Plate, b. Pacific plate, c. American plate, d. African plate, e. Eurasian plate, f. Antarctica plate.

2. Minor plates : a, Arabian plate, b. Philippines plate, c. Cocos plate, d. Caribbean plate, e. Nazca plate, f. Scotia plate, g. Carolina plate, h. Juan de puca plate, I. Bismarck plate.

Plate Margins :
Plate margins or boundaries are most significant because all tectonic activity occur along the plate margins. Plate margins or boundaries are classified into three categories. These are-

1. Constructive or divergent plate boundary : divergent plate boundary in plate tectonic is a linear feature that exist between two plates that are moving away from each other. Divergent plate boundary also from volcanic islands which occur when two plates move apart to produce gaps which molten lava rises to fill.


2. Destructive or convergent plate boundary: convergent plate boundary is also known as destructive plate boundary or margin. Destructive plate boundaries are characterized by two plates that are moving towards each other and collision. The leading edge of lighter plate rights over the denser plate and as such the denser plate is subducted or thrust upper Mantle, where it is lost.


3. Transform plate boundary: when two plates slide past each other along transform faults these are called conservative margin because process neither created nor destroyed. They create transform faults which move almost parallel to the direction of plate motion.


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