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Plate tectonic theory has profoundly changed the way geoscientists view Earth and provides an important theoretical and conceptual framework for understanding the origin and global distribution of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks (ssss1–ssss1). It also helps to explain the distribution of diverse phenomena that include faults, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain belts, mineral deposits, and even the evolution of life and the evolving composition of the atmosphere.

plate tectonicsplate boundary segmentstriple junctions

The relative movement of plates with respect to the boundary that separates them defines three major types of plate boundary segments (ssss1) and two hybrids: (1) divergent plate (2) convergent, (3) transform, (4) divergent‐transform hybrid, and (5) convergent‐transform hybrid.

Each type of plate boundary produces a characteristic suite of features and Earth materials. This relationship between the kinds of Earth materials formed and the plate tectonic settings in which they are produced provides a major theme of the chapters that follow.