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Year 10
Edexcel B

Processes at conservative plate margins

I can explain the processes at conservative plate margins and relate these to the causes of earthquakes.

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Year 10
Edexcel B

Processes at conservative plate margins

I can explain the processes at conservative plate margins and relate these to the causes of earthquakes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Conservative plate margins involve two plates sliding alongside each other.
  2. Distinctive processes occur at conservative plate margins.
  3. Earthquakes occur at conservative plate margins but volcanoes do not.

Keywords

  • Magnitude - a measure of the energy released by an earthquake; a higher magnitude means a stronger earthquake

  • Magma - molten rock found beneath Earth's surface. It is formed when rocks in Earth's mantle or crust melt due to high temperatures and pressure

Common misconception

Volcanoes occur at all plate margins.

While volcanoes are a feature of both destructive and constructive plate margins, there are no volcanic eruptions at conservative margins because no magma is produced.


To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Processes at conservative plate margins, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Once students have learned about all three types of plate margin, they could show their understanding by comparing the processes and hazards associated with each type.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are the two main types of tectonic plate?
Correct answer: Continental and oceanic
Primary and secondary
Inner and outer
Q2.
Which layer of Earth is made up of tectonic plates?
Core
Correct answer: Lithosphere
Mantle
Q3.
What is the name of the theory that explains the movement of tectonic plates?
Seismic Shift
Volcanic Theory
Correct answer: Plate Tectonics
Q4.
What is an example of a tectonic hazard?
Hurricane
Flood
Correct answer: Earthquake
Q5.
What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?
A large desert in the Pacific Ocean
A ring of mountains around the Pacific Ocean
A type of volcanic rock
Correct answer: A zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
Q6.
Which layer of Earth is composed mostly of solid iron and nickel?
Crust
Mantle
Outer core
Correct answer: Inner core

Exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What happens at a conservative plate margin?
Plates move away from each other
Correct answer: Plates slide past each other
One plate sinks under another
Plates collide and form mountains
Q2.
Which natural hazard is most common at conservative plate margins?
Volcanoes
Correct answer: Earthquakes
Tornados
Q3.
Why don’t volcanoes form at conservative plate margins?
The ocean cools the magma
The plates collide and push magma upwards
The plates pull apart, creating space
Correct answer: There is no magma rising to the surface
Q4.
What famous conservative plate margin exists in the USA?
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge
The Himalayas
Correct answer: The San Andreas Fault
The Andes Mountains