Science Common Sense

1295 - What happens when tectonic plates separate or converge?

When tectonic plates move, they can either separate or converge.

When they separate, it means they are moving apart from each other. This can create new land, like when magma rises to fill the gap and cools to form new rocks. This process can create new islands or oceanic ridges.

When they converge, it means they are moving towards each other. They can either collide and crumple, creating mountains, or one plate can go under the other (called subduction), creating volcanoes and earthquakes. This can also cause land to sink into the ocean.