1. Convergent Boundaries: Where two plates collide. These can be further divided into:
* Oceanic-Oceanic: One plate subducts (dives) beneath the other, creating volcanic island arcs and deep ocean trenches.
* Oceanic-Continental: The denser oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate, forming volcanic mountain ranges and deep ocean trenches.
* Continental-Continental: Both plates are relatively buoyant, leading to the formation of towering mountain ranges and intense earthquakes.
2. Divergent Boundaries: Where two plates move apart. These can be:
* Mid-Ocean Ridges: Undersea mountain ranges where new oceanic crust is created by magma upwelling from the mantle.
* Continental Rifts: Areas where continental crust is being pulled apart, creating rift valleys and eventually, new ocean basins.
3. Transform Boundaries: Where two plates slide past each other horizontally. This creates frequent earthquakes but no new crust is formed or destroyed.
So, while there are only three main types of plate boundaries, there are further classifications within those categories.
