Plate Motion

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is a type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates collide, leading to one plate being forced under the other, often resulting in earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Front

What happens at a divergent boundary?

Back

At a divergent boundary, two tectonic plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise and create new crust, often forming rift valleys or mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A transform boundary is a type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, which can cause earthquakes.

Front

What is the inner core of the Earth?

Back

The inner core is the solid, innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel, and has the highest density of all Earth's layers.

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

The mantle is the thick layer of rock between the Earth's crust and outer core, composed of silicate minerals and is semi-solid, allowing for slow movement.

Front

What is the crust?

Back

The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, consisting of solid rock, and is relatively thin compared to the other layers.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate is forced under another at a convergent boundary, leading to the formation of trenches and volcanic arcs.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A rift valley is a lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates, characterized by steep walls and often filled with water.

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 is the significance of plate tectonics?

Back

Plate tectonics explains the movement of the Earth's plates and is responsible for many geological phenomena, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.