Plate Tectonics

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

Which crust has the lowest density?

Back

The continental crust has the lowest density compared to the oceanic crust and the mantle.

Front

What type of boundary is formed when two oceanic plates collide?

Back

A convergent boundary: oceanic-oceanic.

Front

Where do most earthquakes and volcanoes occur according to the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur along plate boundaries.

Front

What geological feature forms where an oceanic plate begins to subduct?

Back

A deep ocean trench forms where an oceanic plate begins to subduct.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the semi-fluid layer of the upper mantle that lies beneath the lithosphere, allowing tectonic plates to move.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Front

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics at divergent boundaries.