Plate Tectonics Flashcard

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

The large, rigid pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries, causing geological activity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Front

What is a convergent plate boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often resulting in mountain formation, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is a divergent plate boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates move apart from each other, leading to the formation of new crust, such as mid-ocean ridges.

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 landform is typically found at a convergent boundary?

Back

Mountains or volcanic arcs.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Front

What landform is typically found at a divergent boundary?

Back

Mid-Ocean Ridge or Rift Valley.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

A major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to tectonic plate movements.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What causes earthquakes?

Back

The sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust due to the movement of tectonic plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What is a fault?

Back

A fracture in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred.