Plate Tectonics

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory that explains the structure and movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's crust that move and interact with each other, carrying continents and oceans.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

The hypothesis that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a single landmass.

Front

What is sea floor spreading?

Back

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

Front

What is subduction?

Back

The process where one tectonic plate is forced under another, often leading to volcanic activity.

Front

What are faults?

Back

Fractures in the Earth's crust where blocks of rock have moved past each other.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

A major area in the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to tectonic plate movements.