Granitic crust.
35-40 km thick.
Lighter (less dense) .
More buoyant Floats higher.
Basaltic crust.
7-10 km thick.
Heavier (more dense).
Less buoyant Sinks lower.
Crust
Continental
Oceanic
Mantle
Upper
Lower
Core
Outer - Liquid
Inner Solid
From Chapter 1
W. W. Norton
Plate Boundaries
Plate Boundaries
Continental Margins
Divergent Boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
Early stage
Rifting has progressed to Mid-Ocean Ridge formation.
Before substantial widening of the ocean.
Forms a long, thin ocean basin with young oceanic crust.
Divergent Boundaries
Mid-stage
Ocean begins to widen.
New seafloor is added at the Mid-Ocean Ridge.
Continents move farther apart.
Divergent Boundaries
Late Stage
Mature, wide ocean basin.
Linear increase in age with distance from central ridge.
Edge of ocean basin - oldest; ridge proximal - youngest.
Mid-Ocean Ridges
500 m deep.
10 km wide.
Symmetric.
Site of eruptions.
Mid-Ocean Ridges
Mid-Ocean Ridges
Oceanic Lithosphere
Convergent Boundaries
Subduction
Convergent Boundaries
Subduction Features
Convergent Boundaries
Olympic Peninsula.
Taiwan.
Convergent Boundaries
Transform Boundaries
Characterized by
Earthquakes.
Absence of volcanism.
Oceanic Transforms
Figure 2.23a
Transform Boundaries
Hot Spots
Hot Spots
Hot Spots
Figure 2.25a
Continental Rifting
Continuation of this
process leads to full
sea-floor spreading.
Continental Rifting
Plate Collision
Plate Collision
Driving Mechanisms
Driving Mechanisms
Plate Velocities
Plate Velocities