What can plate tectonics cause?

Answer 1

Most often earthquakes, volcanoes, and rift valleys.

Answer 2

Plate Tectonics can cause a number of things. The plates themselves either converge, diverge, or transform.

From a convergent plate, you will typically see Mountains or a deep-ocean trench, caused by subduction, because the two plates are coming together. In the process of subduction, one plate will move under another because it's density is lower than the other. Typically, the plate moving under will be oceanic crust because it always has a lower density.

From a divergent plate, you will most likely see a rift valley because the two plates are moving apart from each other.

Lastly, from a plate with a transform boundary, you will likely see a fault line because the two plates are grinding against each other in different directions.

An example of a mountain forming from convergent plates are the Andes Mountains. Scientists predict the mountain will continue to increase in height over time because the two plates are still coming together.

An example of a rift valley is The East African Rift Valley which is located near the Horn of Africa.

A deep-ocean trench can be seen by looking on Google Earth at our oceans.

A huge example of a fault line is the San Andreas Fault, which is possibly the most famous in the world.

Answer 3

Plate tectonics can cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges as plates move and interact with each other at their boundaries. These movements can also lead to the shifting of continents and the creation of ocean basins.