Flashcard Review Earth's Interior and Plate Tectonics

Front

What geologic process formed the Himalayan mountains?

Back

The Himalayan mountains were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a process known as continental collision.

Front

What type of plate boundary is associated with the Iceland hotspot?

Back

The Iceland hotspot is located on a divergent plate boundary, where tectonic plates are moving apart.

Front

What happens when oceanic and continental plates converge?

Back

The oceanic plate sinks under the continental plate due to its higher density, a process known as subduction.

Front

What is the state of Earth's outer core?

Back

Earth's outer core is liquid, with an average density of approximately 11 g/cm³.

Front

What landform occurs at a divergent plate boundary?

Back

A mid-ocean ridge occurs at a divergent plate boundary, where new oceanic crust is formed.

Front

Define tectonic plates.

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries, causing geological activity.

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 transform fault?

Back

A transform fault is a type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What is the average density of continental crust?

Back

The average density of continental crust is approximately 2.8 g/cm³.

Front

What is the average density of oceanic crust?

Back

The average density of oceanic crust is approximately 3.2 g/cm³.