Plate tectonics

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What is plate tectonics?

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Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that describes the large-scale movement of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath.

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What happens at a convergent boundary?

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At a convergent boundary, two tectonic plates move towards each other, often resulting in one plate being forced below the other, leading to subduction, mountain formation, or volcanic activity.

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What is subduction?

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Subduction is the process by which one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle, often creating deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs.

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What are plate boundaries?

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Plate boundaries are the edges where two tectonic plates meet. They can be divergent, convergent, or transform boundaries, each associated with different geological activities.

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What is a divergent boundary?

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A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust, often seen at mid-ocean ridges.

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What geological features are formed at convergent boundaries?

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Convergent boundaries can form mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs due to the collision and subduction of tectonic plates.

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What is an earthquake epicenter?

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The earthquake epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above where an earthquake originates, often marked by clusters of seismic activity.

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What role do plate boundaries play in earthquakes?

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Most earthquakes occur along plate boundaries due to the movement and interaction of tectonic plates, which can cause stress to build up and release suddenly.

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What is a transform boundary?

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A transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, leading to friction and earthquakes, but not creating or destroying crust.

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What are hot spots?

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Hot spots are volcanic regions fed by underlying mantle that is anomalously hot, allowing magma to break through the crust, independent of plate boundaries.