Plate Boundaries Practice

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A transform boundary is a type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This movement can cause earthquakes.

Front

What is an example of a transform fault?

Back

The San Andreas Fault in California is a well-known example of a transform fault.

Front

What characterizes oceanic crust compared to continental crust?

Back

Oceanic crust is thinner, younger, and more dense than continental crust.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

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

Front

What causes earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes are caused by sudden movements of rock along a fault line, often due to the release of stress accumulated from tectonic plate movements.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust as magma rises to the surface.

Front

What happens at a subduction zone?

Back

At a subduction zone, one tectonic plate is forced under another, leading to volcanic activity and the formation of deep ocean trenches.

Front

What is the difference between oceanic and continental crust?

Back

Oceanic crust is generally thinner, denser, and younger than continental crust, which is thicker, less dense, and older.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

The Ring of Fire is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to tectonic plate movements.

Front

What is a seismic gap?

Back

A seismic gap is a section of an active fault that has not experienced an earthquake for a long time, indicating a potential for future seismic activity.