ES Flashcard #2 Review (21-22)

Front

What is happening to the size of the Atlantic Ocean?

Back

It is getting wider as the plates divide.

Front

Why are earthquakes mostly located at plate boundaries?

Back

Because tectonic plates interact at these boundaries, leading to seismic activity.

Front

What do the pink stripes closest to the center of the ocean ridge represent?

Back

They represent normal polarity, are made of oceanic crust, and are newer rocks than the blue or pink stripes further from the ridge.

Front

What type of boundary is characterized by plates sliding past each other?

Back

Transform boundary.

Front

How can you determine the oldest island in a chain of islands formed by a hot spot?

Back

By considering the latitude/longitude of the hot spot, the direction the plate moves, and how far the island is from the hot spot.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A boundary where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often resulting in one plate being forced below another.

Front

What is the significance of oceanic crust?

Back

Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than continental crust and is primarily composed of basalt.

Front

What is the role of tectonic plates in earthquakes?

Back

Tectonic plates shift and interact, causing stress that is released as earthquakes.

Front

What is the difference between normal polarity and reversed polarity?

Back

Normal polarity means magnetic north is near the geographic North Pole, while reversed polarity means magnetic north is near the geographic South Pole.