Plate Tectonics

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What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, often resulting in the formation of new crust, such as mid-ocean ridges.

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What is a transform boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates come together, often leading to one plate being forced beneath another, a process known as subduction.

Front

What causes tectonic plates to move?

Back

Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the Earth's mantle, which are caused by the heat from the Earth's core.

Front

What was Wegener's hypothesis about continental movement called?

Back

Wegener's hypothesis was called 'The Continental Drift', which proposed that continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart.

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What is subduction?

Back

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

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What is the mid-ocean ridge?

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The mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by divergent tectonic plates, where new oceanic crust is created.

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What are tectonic plates?

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Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other, causing geological activity.

Front

What is an earthquake?

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An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere, often occurring at plate boundaries.

Front

What is a rift valley?

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A rift valley is a lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates, characterized by steep walls and a central block.