Plate Tectonics

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The geological theory that explains how pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in constant, slow motion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What are the three main types of plate boundaries?

Back

Convergent, Divergent, and Transform.

Front

What happens at a Divergent boundary?

Back

Plates move away from each other, often creating new crust, such as mid-ocean ridges.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is a Convergent boundary?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

What geological features are commonly found at Convergent boundaries?

Back

Mountains, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs.

Front

What is a Transform boundary?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What is the primary cause of plate movement?

Back

Convection currents in the mantle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

An underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics at a divergent boundary.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

A sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves, often occurring at transform boundaries.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2