tectonic plates

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates crash into each other, often causing mountains or subduction.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move apart, leading to the formation of new crust, such as mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Front

What happens at a subduction zone?

Back

An oceanic plate is forced under a continental plate, leading to volcanic activity and earthquakes.

Front

What was Pangea?

Back

A supercontinent where all Earth's land masses were joined together approximately 335 million years ago.

Front

What is sea-floor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates pull apart.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates, often filled with water.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

A major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

The shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere.