Question

What are the differences between active and passive continental margins? What is the relationship between plate tectonics and the various features? Provide an example of each continental margin.

Answer 1

An active margin is a plate boundary in which the plate on which a continent is on is riding over and pushing down the plate. The west coast of North and South America are good examples. On the other hand, a passive margin do not correspond to a plate boundary therefore the drop-off from the land to the sea is gentle.The east costs of North and South America are good examples.