Plate boundaries are where the action is. A large fraction of all earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building occurs at plate boundaries. It is also where most of the people on Earth live.

When the plate sinks into the mantle it melts to form magma. The pressure of the magma builds up beneath the Earth's surface. The magma escapes through weaknesses in the rock and rises up through ...

These convergent boundaries also occur where a plate of ocean dives, in a process called subduction, under a landmass. As the overlying plate lifts up, it also forms mountain ranges. In addition ...

Whatever drives the movement, plate tectonic activity takes place at four types of boundaries: divergent boundaries, where new crust is formed; convergent boundaries, where crust is consumed ...

Where convection currents push plates together, destructive plate boundaries (margins) are formed. Constructive plate margins close constructive plate marginAn area where two tectonic plates are ...

Earthquakes can occur along faults far from the edges of plates. Although these earthquakes are much less common, they are due to the same forces that cause earthquakes along plate boundaries. Faults ...

Worldwide, the majority of earthquakes occur at plate boundaries — where pieces of the Earth’s crust, known as tectonic plates, meet. These tend to be the most destructive earthquakes.

Tectonic Basins chart and activity Here is a diagram to help you understand how the tectonic basins are related to plate boundaries: When a diverging boundary begins to open, it creates a narrow ...

Related: How many tectonic plates does Earth have? Interactions between plate boundaries and liquid water might also play a role, said Russell Pysklywec, a geophysicist at the University of Toronto.

You now have the power to change the landscape with the slightest push of your mouse. Four types of plate tectonic activity are demonstrated in this feature. Keep an eye on the map to see where in ...