Plate Tectonics

Front

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 or rift valleys.

Front

What geologic feature is commonly found at a divergent boundary?

Back

Rift Valley.

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Convection currents are movements within a fluid (like magma) caused by the difference in temperature and density, which transfer heat from the Earth's inner core to the outer mantle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

Which layers of the Earth have convection currents?

Back

Outer core and mantle (asthenosphere).

Front

What happens to materials when they are heated?

Back

They become less dense and tend to rise.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and density?

Back

Cold materials are denser than hot materials.

Front

What type of current carries heat from the inner core to the outer mantle?

Back

Convection currents.

Front

What causes convection currents in the Earth's mantle?

Back

Less dense hot magma moving upward.

Front

What is a tectonic plate?

Back

A tectonic plate is a massive slab of solid rock that makes up the Earth's lithosphere and moves over the semi-fluid asthenosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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