Plate Tectonics

Front

What occurs at divergent continental-continental plate boundaries?

Back

A rift valley develops.

Front

What type of boundary is formed when two continental plates move apart?

Back

Divergent: Continental-Continental

Front

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory of continental drift?

Back

Fit of coastlines, fossils of the same land animals on different continents, and ice sheets covering parts of continents.

Front

What causes volcanic activity?

Back

Volcanic activity occurs when a subducting plate causes hot mantle material to rise, when oceanic crust pulls apart, or when continental crust stretches and breaks.

Front

What happens to tectonic plates at divergent boundaries?

Back

Two plates move apart.

Front

Define plate tectonics.

Back

The theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of the mid-ocean ridge?

Back

It is a continuous mountain range formed by plate tectonics at divergent boundaries.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large slabs of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.