2.1 - Plate Tectonics

Front

What is a divergent plate boundary?

Back

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

Front

What geological feature is commonly formed at divergent plate boundaries?

Back

Mid-ocean ridges are commonly formed at divergent plate boundaries as magma rises to create new oceanic crust.

Front

What was Pangaea?

Back

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed over 300 million years ago and began breaking apart about 250 million years ago, meaning 'all land'.

Front

What is the theory of continental drift?

Back

The theory of continental drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener, suggests that continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart.

Front

What limitations did Alfred Wegener face in his theory of continental drift?

Back

Wegener faced limitations such as the lack of sonar technology to map the seafloor and insufficient evidence for the movement of continents.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries, causing geological activity.

Front

What layer do tectonic plates float on?

Back

Tectonic plates float on the asthenosphere, a semi-fluid layer of the mantle.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

The mantle is the layer of semi-solid molten rock within Earth's interior, located between the crust and the core.

Front

What is a subduction zone?

Back

A subduction zone is a region where one tectonic plate moves under another, leading to geological features like trenches and volcanic arcs.