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0
T
Thea Kelly
12/12/2025
Humanities
Tectonic
680
•
12 Dec 2025
•
Tectonic Plates and Their Impact
T
Thea Kelly
@theakelly_lhdk
1 / 3
Types of Plate Boundaries
Think of Earth's surface like a giant jigsaw puzzle where the pieces are constantly moving. There are four main ways these tectonic plates can interact, and each creates different geological features.
Constructive plate boundaries occur when two plates pull apart from each other. As they separate, hot magma rises up to fill the gap, creating new seafloor and eventually building up into volcanoes over time.
Conservative plate boundaries happen when plates slide past each other along a fault line without directly colliding. This sideways movement often triggers earthquakes as the plates grind against each other.
There are two types of destructive plate boundaries. In subduction, an oceanic plate dives underneath a continental plate, melting in the mantle and creating volcanoes from the excess magma. In collision, two continental plates crash together and push upwards to form fold mountains.
Quick Tip: Remember that "constructive" builds new land, "conservative" preserves existing boundaries, and "destructive" either destroys plates or creates dramatic landforms!
The Major Tectonic Plates and Volcano Status
Our planet's surface is divided into several massive tectonic plates that fit together like puzzle pieces. The largest ones include the Pacific, North American, Eurasian, African, South American, Australian, and Antarctic plates, plus smaller ones like the Caribbean and Arabian plates.
These plates are constantly moving, which explains why volcanoes and earthquakes happen in specific zones around the world. The boundaries between these plates are where most of the geological action takes place.
Volcanoes have three main states of activity that scientists monitor closely. Active volcanoes erupt regularly and pose ongoing risks to nearby communities. Dormant volcanoes have erupted before but haven't been active recently - they're essentially sleeping but could wake up. Extinct volcanoes haven't erupted for around 10,000 years and are considered permanently shut down.
Did You Know? The "Ring of Fire" around the Pacific Plate contains about 75% of the world's active volcanoes due to all the plate boundary activity in that region!
Volcano Types
Not all volcanoes are created equal - their shape and behaviour depend entirely on where they form and what type of lava they produce.
Composite volcanoes form at destructive plate margins where oceanic plates sink into the mantle. When seawater mixes with the melted rock, it creates sticky, acidic magma that doesn't flow far. These volcanoes have steep, cone-like sides built from alternating layers of ash and solidified lava. Their eruptions are infrequent but incredibly violent, shooting out steam, ash, lava, and rock chunks.
Shield volcanoes develop at constructive plate boundaries where plates pull apart. The magma here is runny and basic (opposite of acidic), flowing long distances before cooling. This creates volcanoes with wide bases and gently sloping sides that look like ancient warrior shields. These erupt frequently but are much less explosive than composite volcanoes.
The key difference is viscosity - thick, sticky lava creates steep, dangerous volcanoes, whilst thin, runny lava creates broad, gentler ones.
Real-World Examples: Mount St. Helens (composite volcano) devastated the surrounding area in 1980, whilst Hawaiian volcanoes (shield type) create spectacular but relatively safe lava flows that tourists can sometimes observe!
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Tectonic Plates and Their Impact
T
Thea Kelly
@theakelly_lhdk
Ever wondered why the ground sometimes shakes beneath your feet or why mountains seem to appear out of nowhere? It's all down to tectonic plates- massive chunks of Earth's crust that are constantly moving and colliding. Understanding how these... Show more
Types of Plate Boundaries
Think of Earth's surface like a giant jigsaw puzzle where the pieces are constantly moving. There are four main ways these tectonic plates can interact, and each creates different geological features.
Constructive plate boundaries occur when two plates pull apart from each other. As they separate, hot magma rises up to fill the gap, creating new seafloor and eventually building up into volcanoes over time.
Conservative plate boundaries happen when plates slide past each other along a fault line without directly colliding. This sideways movement often triggers earthquakes as the plates grind against each other.
There are two types of destructive plate boundaries. In subduction, an oceanic plate dives underneath a continental plate, melting in the mantle and creating volcanoes from the excess magma. In collision, two continental plates crash together and push upwards to form fold mountains.
Quick Tip: Remember that "constructive" builds new land, "conservative" preserves existing boundaries, and "destructive" either destroys plates or creates dramatic landforms!
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The Major Tectonic Plates and Volcano Status
Our planet's surface is divided into several massive tectonic plates that fit together like puzzle pieces. The largest ones include the Pacific, North American, Eurasian, African, South American, Australian, and Antarctic plates, plus smaller ones like the Caribbean and Arabian plates.
These plates are constantly moving, which explains why volcanoes and earthquakes happen in specific zones around the world. The boundaries between these plates are where most of the geological action takes place.
Volcanoes have three main states of activity that scientists monitor closely. Active volcanoes erupt regularly and pose ongoing risks to nearby communities. Dormant volcanoes have erupted before but haven't been active recently - they're essentially sleeping but could wake up. Extinct volcanoes haven't erupted for around 10,000 years and are considered permanently shut down.
Did You Know? The "Ring of Fire" around the Pacific Plate contains about 75% of the world's active volcanoes due to all the plate boundary activity in that region!
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Access to all documents
Improve your grades
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Volcano Types
Not all volcanoes are created equal - their shape and behaviour depend entirely on where they form and what type of lava they produce.
Composite volcanoes form at destructive plate margins where oceanic plates sink into the mantle. When seawater mixes with the melted rock, it creates sticky, acidic magma that doesn't flow far. These volcanoes have steep, cone-like sides built from alternating layers of ash and solidified lava. Their eruptions are infrequent but incredibly violent, shooting out steam, ash, lava, and rock chunks.
Shield volcanoes develop at constructive plate boundaries where plates pull apart. The magma here is runny and basic (opposite of acidic), flowing long distances before cooling. This creates volcanoes with wide bases and gently sloping sides that look like ancient warrior shields. These erupt frequently but are much less explosive than composite volcanoes.
The key difference is viscosity - thick, sticky lava creates steep, dangerous volcanoes, whilst thin, runny lava creates broad, gentler ones.
Real-World Examples: Mount St. Helens (composite volcano) devastated the surrounding area in 1980, whilst Hawaiian volcanoes (shield type) create spectacular but relatively safe lava flows that tourists can sometimes observe!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user