Figure 12.11

Three types of plate boundaries. (A) A divergent plate boundary occurs where two plates move apart as new crust is formed. Here, two plates move apart as new oceanic crust is formed at a mid-ocean ridge. (B) A convergent plate boundary occurs where two plates move toward one another. Here, one plate subducts beneath another, forming a deep-sea trench. The subducting plate is recycled into the mantle. Magma rises up through the overriding plate, creating a chain of volcanoes. (C) A transform plate boundary is formed as two plates slide past each other.