Flashcard on Continental Drift Hypothesis & Plate Tectonics

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the plastic layer within the Earth's mantle that moves underneath the rigid tectonic plates.

Front

How does oceanic crust change with distance from a rift valley?

Back

Oceanic crust further away from a rift valley is older than the crust at the center.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates collide, which can involve oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, or continental-continental interactions.

Front

What happens at a transform boundary?

Back

At a transform boundary, two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

How do earthquakes relate to plate tectonics?

Back

Earthquakes occur when stress builds up and is released as parts of Earth's crust slide past each other.

Front

What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

Fossils of the same species found on different continents support the theory, suggesting continents were once connected.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A rift valley is a lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates.

Front

What is the difference between oceanic and continental crust?

Back

Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than continental crust, which is thicker and less dense.