Plate Tectonics

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory that explains the structure and movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

Front

What causes oceanic crust to sink below continental crust during subduction?

Back

Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust.

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Movements in the mantle caused by differences in temperature, leading to the flow of molten rock.

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

The theory that continents have moved apart from each other over geological time.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Front

What is the inner core?

Back

The solid, innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel.

Front

What type of plate boundary is associated with seafloor spreading?

Back

Divergent boundary.

Front

What happens at a convergent boundary?

Back

Tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced below another.

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

The thick layer of rock between the Earth's crust and core, where convection currents occur.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.