Earth Layers & Plate Tectonics

Front

What are the three main layers of the Earth?

Back

The three main layers of the Earth are the crust, mantle, and core.

Front

What is plate tectonics?

Back

Plate tectonics is the theory that explains the movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move away from each other, often creating new land, such as mid-ocean ridges.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates collide, leading to the formation of mountains, volcanoes, or ocean trenches.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What geological features can form at convergent boundaries?

Back

Mountains, volcanoes, and ocean trenches can form at convergent boundaries.

Front

What is the Great Rift Valley?

Back

The Great Rift Valley is a geological feature formed by a divergent boundary, where the African tectonic plate is splitting.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

What happens at a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

At a mid-ocean ridge, tectonic plates are diverging, allowing magma to rise and create new oceanic crust.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is an island arc?

Back

An island arc is a chain of volcanic islands formed at a convergent boundary where an oceanic plate subducts beneath another oceanic plate.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3