Plate Tectonics flashcard

Front

What is a convergent plate boundary?

Back

A convergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced below the other, leading to subduction, mountain formation, or earthquakes.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate slides under another plate and is melted in the mantle, often creating oceanic trenches and volcanic activity.

Front

What is a transform plate boundary?

Back

A transform plate boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, leading to earthquakes but not creating or destroying crust.

Front

What type of boundary creates oceanic trenches?

Back

Convergent boundaries are responsible for the creation of oceanic trenches, where one plate is subducted beneath another.

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, such as at mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What geological features are formed at divergent boundaries?

Back

Divergent boundaries can create features such as mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys, where new oceanic crust is formed.

Front

What is the Great Rift Valley?

Back

The Great Rift Valley is a geological feature formed by a divergent boundary, where tectonic plates are pulling apart, creating a large valley.

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

Continental drift is the theory that continents have moved over geological time and were once part of a single landmass called Pangaea.

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates move apart.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

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