The North American Plate is both convergent and divergent, depending on the boundary in question. Plate boundaries can be classified into three main types: convergent, divergent, and transform. The North American Plate exhibits all three types of boundaries.
Divergent Boundaries: On the western edge of the North American Plate, particularly along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the plate is moving away from the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate. This movement creates a divergent boundary, where new crust is formed as magma rises to the surface and solidifies.
Convergent Boundaries: On the western edge of the North American Plate, it interacts with the Pacific Plate. In some areas, such as the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the North American Plate is converging with the Juan de Fuca Plate (a smaller plate associated with the Pacific Plate). This convergence leads to the formation of mountain ranges and volcanic activity.
Transform Boundaries: The North American Plate also has transform boundaries, such as the San Andreas Fault in California, where it slides past the Pacific Plate.
In summary, the North American Plate is involved in both convergent and divergent boundaries, as well as transform boundaries, depending on the specific location and the adjacent plates it interacts with.