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A few things could happen. The separation could leave a gap in the two plates, and if the plate is deep enough, magma could rise and cool. Also depending on how high the magma rises, it could either add to the land or add to the ocean floor, most likely the ocean floor. The continental plate may also continue to move with the oceanic plate, as the crust is resting on the wobbly viscous asthenosphere.

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Q: When oceanic plates drop back away from continental plates what happens?
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What is oceanic plates?

it keeps the ocean and valcanos away from each other i think


How are divergent and convergent boundaries different?

Convergent plates are two tectonic plates that are colliding as they move toward each other. There are several types of converging plate boundaries. Oceanic to oceanic plate convergence: Where an oceanic plate collides with another oceanic plate, the more dense plate subducts into the mantle. The subduction results in the partial melting of lithospheric rock above the area of the subduction, causing underwater volcanoes to form. If the volcanoes grow to reach the surface, volcanic arc islands are formed. Oceanic to continental plate convergence: Where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the oceanic plate is subducted due to the fact that it is more dense, which can also cause volcanism and mountain building. Continental to continental plate convergence: Where two continental plates collide, neither subducts into the mantle, the crust is thickened, and mountain ranges are formed from the thickening and uplift.


Is the oceanic crust of the African plate is moving away from the continental crust of the Arabian plate?

Yes. The two plates are moving away from each other from a spreading center running through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.


How much do the oceanic plates move away from each other each year?

About an inch per year.


What stress occurs when two tectonic plates collide?

When two tectonic plates collide, it is called compressional stress at convergent boundaries. Rocks and plates usually have stronger compressional strength than tensional strength (which would happen at divergent boundaries). This means the higher the likelihood of developing mountains for continent-continent convergence or being subducted for oceanic-oceanic/oceanic-continental boundaries.

Related questions

When two geologic plates are moving away from each other what happens?

When it is two continental plates, new oceanic crust is formed, and when this continues, more oceanic crust is formed between the plates.


What are the types of divergent boundaries?

The 3 general types are constructive, destructive, and conservative boundaries. Constructive (divergent) - plates move away from each other, typically creating a rift Destructive (convergent) - one plate will be subducted, or continental plates collide Conservative (transform) - plates grind past each other, stalling and slipping


What is oceanic plates?

it keeps the ocean and valcanos away from each other i think


What are three types of convergent boundaries?

Converging (destructive) plate boundary: where two plates collide. Diverging (constructive) plate boundary: where two plates move away from each other. Transform plate boundary: where two plates move, or grind, past each other. Like the boundary in California.


What are types of convergents boundaries?

Converging (destructive) plate boundary: where two plates collide. Diverging (constructive) plate boundary: where two plates move away from each other. Transform plate boundary: where two plates move, or grind, past each other. Like the boundary in California.


Describe what happens in the three different kinds of plate collisions?

Subduction (where one plate is forced beneath another less dense plate - may occur at oceanic-oceanic and oceanic-continental boundaries), obduction (where oceanic plate is forced over a continental plate) and orogenesis where two continental plates collide and mountains are formed (e.g. the Himalayas).


What are plates moving away from one Another?

When plates move towards each other it is called a convergent boundary. The two types of plates converging depends on what happens. When it is oceanic/oceanic, both plates subduct (go downward), leading to the creating of trenches found at the depths of the ocean. When an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate, the more dense oceanic plate subducts under the continental plate, again creating trenches, and also leading to the destruction of the ocean floor. When continental plates converge, they tend to smash up and rise, creating mountains. When plates move apart, it is called a divergent boundary. When oceanic plates move apart, magma rises, cools, and solidifies to create new ocean floor. This, along with continental/oceanic convergence, accounts for seafloor spreading. When two continental plates diverge, the area left between them slowly turns into an ocean. For an example of this type of ocean, look at the Red Sea.


What are divergent boundaries?

Divergent boundaries are areas where continental or oceanic plates are moving away from each other and creating new crust. Examples would be the Mid-Oceanic Ridge and the East African Rift Zone.


How are divergent and convergent boundaries different?

Convergent plates are two tectonic plates that are colliding as they move toward each other. There are several types of converging plate boundaries. Oceanic to oceanic plate convergence: Where an oceanic plate collides with another oceanic plate, the more dense plate subducts into the mantle. The subduction results in the partial melting of lithospheric rock above the area of the subduction, causing underwater volcanoes to form. If the volcanoes grow to reach the surface, volcanic arc islands are formed. Oceanic to continental plate convergence: Where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the oceanic plate is subducted due to the fact that it is more dense, which can also cause volcanism and mountain building. Continental to continental plate convergence: Where two continental plates collide, neither subducts into the mantle, the crust is thickened, and mountain ranges are formed from the thickening and uplift.


How does the continental drift form?

Continental drift is what happens when the Earth's plates shift either towards or away from the other plates. Earthquakes occur when two of the plates bump into each other. It happens when the magma from within the Earth rises up and pushes the plates, due high pressure they pose. That's the best I can do.


What are the differences between the three types of plate boundaries?

divergent, transform and convergent divergent plate boundaries move away from each other, convergent plate boundaries move toward each other, and transform plate bounties slide past each other.


What are the three types of boundaries between lithospheric plates?

The three types of plate boundaries are convergent boundaries (where plates move towards each other), divergent boundaries (where plates move away from each other), and transform boundaries (where plates slide past each other horizontally).