Conservative The point where an earthquake starts is

plate boundaries called the focus. Energy waves race

The theory of plate tectonics is that the crust
occur when two rapidly from this point: these are known
of the earth is split into seven large plates
plates slide past as seismic waves. The point where the
(see map below). The point where two plates
each other earthquake hits ground level is called the
meet is known as a plate boundary.
epicentre.

Earthquakes can occur at all of these

plate boundaries. As the plates
move past, towards or away from
each other movement is not
smooth. Friction causes the plates
to get stuck. This causes pressure
to build up. Earthquakes occur
when this build up of pressure is
released.
Copy the diagram and labels above.
Answer the questions below:
Two plates are •Add a label to show the seismic waves
moving apart from
•State what kind of plate margin is
each other are 1. Copy the diagram of a
shown
known as a constructive plate boundary and
constructive plate label the plates with example
boundary. plates from the map. Extra
2. Copy the diagram of a destructive 1. Copy out all of the key words that are
plate boundary and label the highlighted in bold into your exercise
Destructive plates with example plates from books. Add their definitions next to them.
plate the map.
boundaries 2. Do you think the earthquake will be
occur when 3. Copy the diagram of a more/less intense with the focus being
one plate is conservative plate boundary and closer to the earths surface? (Hint: think
forced under label the plates with example about the seismic waves)
another plate. plates from the map.
3. Why do you think this?