Plate Motion: Plate Boundaries

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 geological features like mountains or deep ocean trenches.

Front

What happens at a divergent plate boundary?

Back

At a divergent plate boundary, two tectonic plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise from below the Earth's surface, creating new crust, often seen at mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What is a transform plate boundary?

Back

A transform plate boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, which can cause earthquakes.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle, often leading to volcanic activity.

Front

What type of crust is thicker, continental or oceanic?

Back

Continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust.

Front

What geological feature is formed when two continental plates collide?

Back

When two continental plates collide, they can form mountains.

Front

What is the role of magma at mid-ocean ridges?

Back

At mid-ocean ridges, magma rises to the surface, creating new oceanic crust as it cools.

Front

What is the denser plate in a subduction zone?

Back

In a subduction zone, the denser plate is usually the oceanic plate, which sinks beneath the less dense continental plate.

Front

What are the two main types of tectonic plates?

Back

The two main types of tectonic plates are continental plates and oceanic plates.

Front

What is the result of tectonic plate movement?

Back

The movement of tectonic plates can result in earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mountain formation, and ocean trench creation.