---
title: "Convergent versus divergent plate boundary"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:convergent-versus-divergent-plate-boundary"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/convergent-versus-divergent-plate-boundary
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Convergent versus divergent plate boundary

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 2: Basic Reviews of the Earth

- Asked in: 2081 Baisakh (new course), 2 marks; 2075 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2066 Bhadra (old course), 2 marks (asked 3 times)
- Video: [Introduction to Plate Tectonics Divergent and Convergent Plate Boundaries](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHzb5VQZIc) — mastering_science
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/convergent-versus-divergent-plate-boundary
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-2

## Question

Differentiate between convergent and divergent plate boundaries.

## Short answer

Convergent boundaries involve plates moving toward each other, destroying crust via subduction, causing compression, deep strong earthquakes, explosive volcanism, and forming trenches and fold mountains. Divergent boundaries involve plates moving apart, creating new crust from rising magma, with tension, shallow moderate quakes, and quiet basaltic volcanism at mid-ocean ridges and rifts.

## Answer

| Basis | Convergent boundary | Divergent boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Plates move towards each other | Plates move away from each other |
| Crust | Destroyed (subduction) or thickened | Created from rising magma |
| Also called | Destructive boundary | Constructive boundary |
| Landforms | Trenches, fold mountains, island arcs | Mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys |
| Earthquakes | Shallow to deep, very strong | Shallow, moderate |
| Volcanism | Explosive (andesitic) | Quiet (basaltic) |
| Stress | Compression | Tension |
| Examples | Himalaya, Andes, Japan | Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East African Rift |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. At a convergent boundary crust is:
   A. Created from magma
   B. Destroyed or thickened
   C. Unchanged
   D. Only melted
   Answer: B. Divergent creates crust. (Key point: Crust)

2. Volcanism at convergent boundaries is typically:
   A. Quiet (basaltic)
   B. Absent
   C. Explosive (andesitic)
   D. Only ridge basalt
   Answer: C. Divergent is quiet basaltic. (Key point: Volcanism)

3. Stress at divergent boundary is:
   A. Compression
   B. Shear
   C. None
   D. Tension
   Answer: D. Plates pull apart. (Key point: Stress)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

- [Transform versus divergent plate boundary](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Atransform-versus-divergent-plate-boundary) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2
- [Plate tectonics and plate boundaries](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aplate-tectonics-and-plate-boundaries) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2, asked 8×
- [Plate boundary and mountain formation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aplate-boundary-and-mountain-formation) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Convergent-divergent steam nozzle design](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Ffluid_machines%3Asteam-nozzle-numerical) — Fluid Machines, chapter 5
- [Convergent-divergent nozzle with efficiency](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fturbo_machines%3Acd-nozzle-efficiency-exit-area-numerical) — Turbo Machines, chapter 4