The Differences between Convergent and Divergent Boundaries

Convergent and divergent plate boundaries are two fundamental processes that shape Earth's surface through the movement of tectonic plates. While they both involve the movement of these large crustal slabs, they differ significantly in their motion and resulting geological features.

Map of Earth's principal plates boundaries (convergent boundaries shown as blue lines and Divergent Boundaries as red lines.

Convergent and Divergent Boundaries Key Differences

Here's a breakdown of their key differences:

Plate Movement Direction

Convergent Boundaries: At convergent boundaries, plates move towards each other. This movement can result in three subtypes: oceanic-continental convergence, oceanic-oceanic convergence, and continental-continental convergence.

Divergent Boundaries: At divergent boundaries, plates move away from each other, creating new crust as magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap. This process is also known as seafloor spreading when it occurs beneath the ocean.

Crust Formation

Convergent Boundaries: Due to the collision between plates, crustal material is often destroyed or recycled. This can result in the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic arcs, and deep ocean trenches.

Divergent Boundaries: As plates move apart, magma rises from below the Earth's surface, solidifying and creating new crust. This process forms mid-ocean ridges or rift valleys on continents.

Volcanic Activity

Convergent Boundaries: Volcanic activity is common at convergent boundaries, especially where oceanic crust is being subducted beneath continental crust or another oceanic plate. This can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs.

Divergent Boundaries: Volcanic activity is also present at divergent boundaries, particularly along mid-ocean ridges. However, the volcanism here tends to be less explosive and more focused on the creation of new crust rather than the formation of large volcanic mountains.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis

Convergent Boundaries: More prone to large earthquakes due to the immense forces involved in subduction and collisions. Earthquakes can trigger tsunamis if they cause significant seafloor displacement.

Divergent Boundaries: Earthquakescan occur, but they are typically smaller than those at convergent boundaries. Less likely to trigger tsunamis due to the nature of plate movement.

Outcomes

Convergent Boundaries Outcomes

• Subduction: In most cases, one plate, typically the denser oceanic crust, subducts beneath the other due to buoyancy differences.
• Volcanic activity: As the subducted plate releases water into the mantle, it triggers melting, leading to volcanoes on the overriding plate (e.g., Andes Mountains).
• Mountain building: The ongoing collision and crumpling of crust can form massive mountain ranges (e.g., Himalayas).

Divergent Boundaries Outcomes:

• New Crust Formation: As the plates diverge, hot molten material from the mantle rises to fill the gap, solidifying and forming new oceanic crust. This process results in the expansion of the ocean floor (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge).
• Volcanic Activity: The upwelling of mantle material often leads to volcanic activity along the divergent boundary, forming mid-ocean ridges with underwater volcanoes.

Examples

Convergent Boundaries: Examples include the Andes Mountains formed by the convergence of the South American Plate and the Nazca Plate, and the Japan Trench where the Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate.

Divergent Boundaries: Examples include the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent boundary running through the Atlantic Ocean, and the East African Rift, a developing divergent boundary on the African continent.

Convergent Boundaries

Convergent boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move towards each other. This collision can lead to a variety of outcomes, depending on the type of plates involved and their relative motion.

Continental-Continental Collisions

Convergent Boundary - Continental-Continental Plates Collision

Continental-continental collisions: When two continental plates collide, the enormous force of the impact causes the Earth's crust to thicken and crumple, resulting in the formation of massive mountain ranges like the Himalayas. The Himalayas represent a prime example of continental-continental collision, with the Indian Plate pushing northward into the Eurasian Plate, creating a vast uplift of the Earth's crust.

Continental-Oceanic Collision

Convergent Boundary - Continental-Oceanic Plates Collision

Continental-oceanic collisions: When a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate, the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the lighter continental plate in a process called subduction. As the oceanic plate descends into the Earth's mantle, it releases water and other volatile substances, which trigger the melting of the mantle above. This molten rock, or magma, rises to the surface, forming volcanic arcs, such as the Andes Mountains. The Andes Mountains, stretching along the western coast of South America, are a result of continental-oceanic collision, with the Nazca Plate subducting beneath the South American Plate. 

Oceanic-Oceanic Collisions  

Convergent Boundary - Oceanic-Oceanic Plates Collision

Oceanic-oceanic collisions: When two oceanic plates collide, one plate is often subducted beneath the other, forming an island arc, like the Mariana Islands. The subduction of the oceanic plate triggers the melting of mantle material, which rises to the surface and cools to form new oceanic crust. The Mariana Islands, with their deep ocean trenches and volcanic islands, exemplify the consequences of oceanic-oceanic collision.

Divergent Boundaries

Divergent boundaries are regions where two tectonic plates move away from each other, creating space for new oceanic crust to form. This process occurs primarily in the middle of oceans, at mid-ocean ridges.

Divergent Boundary - Mid-Ocean Ridges

Mid-Ocean Ridges

Mid-ocean ridges: Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges that mark the boundaries of divergent plates. As the plates move apart, magma from the mantle rises up and cools to form new oceanic crust. This process continuously expands the ocean floor and creates a chain of underwater volcanoes. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, running along the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is a prominent example of a mid-ocean ridge system.

Continental Rifts

Continental rifts: Continental rifts are areas where continental plates are beginning to pull apart. These rifts can eventually lead to the formation of new oceans. The East African Rift Valley, stretching through eastern Africa, is a notable example of a continental rift, with the African Plate gradually splitting into two separate plates.

Conclusion

Convergent Boundaries: Responsible for mountain building, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

Divergent Boundaries: Responsible for seafloor spreading, creation of new oceanic crust, and volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges.

See Also: 

Types of Plate Boundaries
The Difference Between an Active and Passive Continental Margin 
What Is the Difference Between Oceanic Crust and Continental Crust?