8.9A - Plate Tectonics

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory that Earth's crust and upper mantle are broken into sections (tectonic plates) that are in constant, slow motion.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What causes tectonic plates to move?

Back

Convection currents in the mantle.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Circulating movements of fluid caused by differences in temperature and density, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

The hypothesis that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and older crust moves away.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is a tectonic plate?

Back

A large, rigid piece of Earth's lithosphere that moves and interacts with other plates.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, often resulting in seafloor spreading.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, leading to subduction or mountain formation.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

The process by which one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3