Explain the three types of plates and write the effects of the movements of the plates.

Alfred Wegener propounded the theory of plate tectonics in 1920. Earth has many layers of plates beneath it. Tectonic plates are present in Earth’s crust and uppermost mantle. There are two types of material of Plates: Oceanic crust and Continental crust. These plates travel with the speed of few centimetres per year. There is a term called convection current which moves these plates in a different direction.

Tectonic plates can be classified into three types:

Converging Plates: These plates are formed when tectonic plates move towards each other. The plates either collide with each other or one plate slides under the other. It may cause folding. Movements of these plates are more prone to volcanos.

Diverging Plates: These plates are formed when tectonic plates move away from each other. The plates do not collide with each other in any situation. It may cause faulting. Movements of these plates are more prone to landslides.

Transform Plates: These plates are formed when two tectonic plates slide past one another. These plates pass each other horizontally and create a “fault zone”. Movements of these plates are more prone to earthquake within the crust.