Faults

//**__Faults__** -// ** Faults are usually caused by the Earth's crust bending and breaking in the middle because of the forces pressing on it. These bends and breaks can form faults where the earth's crust is able to move. Faults also mark plate boundaries. There are three main types of faults and each are constructive in their own way. ** = = // **Transform Fault Lines** - //  When two plates slide past each other. Click here to see fault lines.
 * //Divergent Fault Lines - [[image:mccurry1stqtrscience/Divergent_Fault_Lines.png width="150" height="23"]] //** Two plates are moving away from each other. As plates pull apart from each other the earth's crust spreads apart. This usually causes rifts or rift valleys. The majority of this activity takes place deep within the oceans along plate boundaries. As the plates pull apart hot magma is pushed toward the surface and volcanoes occur. This affects the Earth's surface by adding new material to the surface.
 * // Convergent Fault Lines - [[image:mccurry1stqtrscience/Convergent_Fault.png width="111" height="51"]] //**Two plates come together. Not only can this cause destruction it can also cause construction. When two plates collide in a collision zone the result is mountains. The pressure of these two plates hitting each other causes the crust of the earth to rise. This can occur in the oceans of the world and on land. Mountain building is a very slow process but it is caused by convergent faults.