Plate Tectonics

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What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

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

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What is Continental Drift?

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

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What was Pangaea?

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A supercontinent that existed millions of years ago, where all continents were joined together.

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What are Tectonic Plates?

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Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with one another.

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What is a Divergent Boundary?

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A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other, often creating new crust.

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What is a Convergent Boundary?

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A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates collide, leading to the formation of mountains or subduction zones.

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What is a Transform Boundary?

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A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past one another, causing earthquakes.

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What is Subduction?

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The process by which one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle.

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What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

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An underwater mountain range formed by divergent tectonic plates, where new oceanic crust is created.

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What is the Great Rift Valley?

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A large rift valley in East Africa formed by the divergence of tectonic plates.