 This subduction created new microplates and new ridges, including the Juan de Fuca Plate and Juan de Fuca Ridge.As the Juan de Fuca Plate continued to subduct underneath the North American Plate it also segmented, creating the Gorda Plate and Gorda Ridge.The Pacific Plate is moving in a northwest direction, creating a divergence with the Gorda Plate at a speed of 5 cm per year.