Page 37 - York Global Science 4 - Earth & Space
P. 37
Earth and Space Science
Let’s Learn
Let’s Learn
A volcano can happen when
Earth’s plates move. They often
happen when two plates push into
each other. An oceanic plate will
push under a continental plate.
This is because the oceanic plate is
heavier. The rocks in the oceanic
plate melt and change into
magma. This can then come out of
the Earth in a volcano. The melted
rock is called lava when it gets to the surface.
Volcanoes can also happen when two plates move away from each other.
This makes a space where magma can come out. This often happens
under the ocean.
An earthquake also happens because plates move. Most earthquakes
happen when two plates are in contact as they move past each other. In
some places there are thin spaces near the edges of plates. We call these
spaces faults. Sometimes a piece of land at a fault can suddenly move. This
makes an earthquake happen.
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