Plate Boundaries

Front

What is a convergent plate boundary?

Back

A convergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced below the other, leading to subduction.

Front

What is a divergent plate boundary?

Back

A divergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move away from each other, creating new crust as magma rises to the surface.

Front

What is a transform plate boundary?

Back

A transform plate boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing friction and earthquakes.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle.

Front

What geological feature is formed at a divergent boundary?

Back

Rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges are formed at divergent boundaries.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed about 175 million years ago, where all continents were joined together.

Front

What causes tectonic plates to move?

Back

Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle, which are caused by the heat from the Earth's core.

Front

What happens at a transform boundary?

Back

At a transform boundary, tectonic plates slide past each other, which can cause earthquakes.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

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