1C. Plate Tectonics (i) Name one example of a tectonic plate - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 1C - 2022

Plate boundaries are the edges where two tectonic plates meet. There are three main types of plate boundaries: convergent, divergent, and transform.

1. Convergent Boundaries: At these boundaries, plates move toward each other. This can create mountain ranges, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. For example, the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate has formed the Himalayas.

2. Divergent Boundaries: Here, plates move apart from each other. This movement can lead to the formation of new crust as magma rises to the surface. An example of this is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American plates are moving apart.

3. Transform Boundaries: At transform boundaries, plates slide past each other horizontally. This lateral movement can cause earthquakes. The San Andreas Fault in California is a well-known example of a transform boundary.

Visual representations of these boundaries can enhance understanding, with diagrams illustrating the processes occurring at each type of boundary.