Plate Boundaries

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates move toward each other, often resulting in one plate being forced beneath the other, leading to subduction.

Front

What is sea floor spreading?

Back

Sea floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is created at divergent boundaries as tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify.

Front

What occurs at transform boundaries?

Back

At transform boundaries, tectonic plates slide past one another horizontally, which can cause earthquakes.

Front

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics at divergent boundaries, where new oceanic crust is created.

Front

What is a rift zone?

Back

A rift zone is an area where a continental plate is being pulled apart, leading to the formation of a rift valley.

Front

What geological features are commonly associated with convergent boundaries?

Back

Common geological features at convergent boundaries include mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs.

Front

What is the difference between oceanic and continental plates?

Back

Oceanic plates are denser and thinner than continental plates, which are thicker and less dense.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process by which one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle, often occurring at convergent boundaries.

Front

What are the three types of plate boundaries?

Back

The three types of plate boundaries are convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.

Front

What is the significance of the Ring of Fire?

Back

The Ring of Fire is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur, primarily due to tectonic plate boundaries.