What is a constructive plate boundary?
At constructive plate boundaries, also known as divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move away from one another to produce volcanoes. Hot magma rises from the mantle at mid-ocean ridges, pushing the plates apart.
What is a constructive plate boundary BBC Bitesize?
At a constructive plate boundary – also known as a divergent plate boundary – the plates are moving apart from one another. When this happens, the magma from the mantle rises up to make (or construct) a new crust. The movement of the plates over the mantle can cause earthquakes.
Where are the constructive plate boundaries?

Constructive plate margins involve two plates moving away from each other. Where this occurs magma rises through the asthenosphere to the surface of the Earth. This typically occurs along a mid-oceanic ridge, such as the mid-Atlantic rift that extends from the north to the south of the Atlantic ocean.
Why is it called a constructive plate boundary?
Constructive plate boundaries are when there are two plates moving apart from each other. They are called constructive plates because when they move apart, magma rises up in the gap- this forms volcanoes and eventually new crust.
What are the 4 types of plate boundary?
Tectonic Plates and Plate Boundaries
- Convergent boundaries: where two plates are colliding. Subduction zones occur when one or both of the tectonic plates are composed of oceanic crust.
- Divergent boundaries – where two plates are moving apart.
- Transform boundaries – where plates slide passed each other.
What are the 4 different plate boundaries?

There are four main types of plate boundary. These are constructive, destructive, conservative and collision margins.
Why volcanoes erupt at constructive plate boundaries?
A constructive plate boundary occurs when two tectonic plates are moving away from one and other. As the plates are slowly pulled apart the rising magma in the mantle pushes its way to the surface. The magma that rises as the plates diverge causes volcanic eruptions.
How volcanoes are formed in a destructive and constructive plate boundaries?
The point at which one plate is forced beneath the other is called the subduction zone. The plate then melts, due to friction, to become molten rock (magma). The magma then forces its way up to the side of the plate boundary to form a volcano.
What are the 6 types of plate boundaries?
What are the major plate tectonic boundaries?
- Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.
- Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other. Includes: Subduction zones and mountain building.
- Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.
What are the 5 types of plate boundaries?
What are the 3 types of plate boundaries?
Divergent boundaries — where new crust is generated as the plates pull away from each other.
What type of volcanoes form at constructive plate boundaries?
Shield volcanoes are found on constructive plate margins , where two plates move away from one another.
What happens at a constructive plate boundary?
At a constructive plate boundary – also known as a divergent plate boundary – the plates are moving apart from one another. When this happens, the magma from the mantle rises up to make (or construct) a new crust. The movement of the plates over the mantle can cause earthquakes. Rising magma can also create shield volcanoes.
What happens at the Earth’s crust and plate boundaries?
Learn about the layers of the Earth’s crust and plate boundaries. At a tensional or constructive boundary the plates are moving apart. The plates move apart due to convection currents inside the Earth. As the plates move apart (very slowly), magma rises from the mantle. The magma erupts to the surface of the Earth.
What is plate tectonics and plate boundaries?
Plate tectonics. Tectonic plates are pieces of the rocky outer layer of the Earth known as the crust. These plates are constantly moving, and volcanoes and earthquakes are found at plate boundaries. Plate boundaries. There are a number of different types of plate boundary.
Why do the plates move in different directions at different boundaries?
The Earth’s plates move in different directions depending on the type of boundary. Learn about the layers of the Earth’s crust and plate boundaries. At a tensional or constructive boundary the plates are moving apart. The plates move apart due to convection currents inside the Earth.