Plate Tect, Cont Drift, Seismic Waves

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What is a convergent boundary?

Back

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

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What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise and create new crust, often seen at mid-ocean ridges.

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What is a transform boundary?

Back

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

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What is the focus of an earthquake?

Back

The focus of an earthquake is the point within the Earth where the earthquake originates, and seismic waves radiate outward from this point.

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What is the epicenter of an earthquake?

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The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake, often where the strongest shaking is felt.

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What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth, generated by the sudden release of energy during an earthquake.

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What are P waves?

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P waves, or primary waves, are the fastest seismic waves that compress and expand the material they travel through, moving in the same direction as the wave.

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What are S waves?

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S waves, or secondary waves, are seismic waves that move rock particles at right angles to the direction of wave travel, and they are slower than P waves.

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What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate is forced under another, often leading to volcanic activity and the formation of mountain ranges.

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What is a fault?

Back

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, which can cause earthquakes when stress builds up and is released.