Plate Motion

Front

What is Plate Motion?

Back

The movement of the Earth's lithospheric plates on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them, which can cause earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.

Front

What are the three types of plate boundaries?

Back

1. Convergent boundaries (plates move towards each other), 2. Divergent boundaries (plates move apart), 3. Transform boundaries (plates slide past each other).

Front

What is an Earthquake?

Back

A sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves, often caused by the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What is the Earth's Crust?

Back

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of solid rock, which includes the continents and ocean floors.

Front

What is a Mid-Ocean Ridge?

Back

An underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics, where new oceanic crust is created as tectonic plates pull apart.

Front

What is a Transform Plate Boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, often causing earthquakes.

Front

What is a Cross Section?

Back

A diagram that shows a vertical slice through the Earth, illustrating the different layers and structures beneath the surface.

Front

What is the Mantle?

Back

The layer of the Earth located between the crust and the outer core, composed of semi-solid rock that flows slowly.

Front

What is the Outer Core?

Back

The layer of the Earth beneath the mantle, composed of liquid iron and nickel, responsible for generating the Earth's magnetic field.

Front

What is the Inner Core?

Back

The solid, innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel, with extremely high temperatures and pressures.