Plate Tectonics

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, often creating mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What type of boundary is the San Andreas fault?

Back

The San Andreas fault is a transform boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other.

Front

What causes seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading is caused by convection currents in the mantle that push tectonic plates apart.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

Do tectonic plates move quickly?

Back

False, tectonic plates move very slowly, typically a few centimeters per year.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move away from each other, often creating new crust.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Convection currents are movements in the mantle caused by the heat from the Earth's core, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What happens at a convergent boundary?

Back

At a convergent boundary, tectonic plates collide, which can lead to the formation of mountains and volcanic activity.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1