Plate Motion Vocabulary Review

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Mid-ocean ridge

Back

An underwater mountain range formed when two tectonic plates move apart.

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Landform

Back

A feature that forms on the surface of a planet, such as a mountain, channel, or sand dune.

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Surface

Back

The outside or top layer of something.

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Convergent

Back

Moving toward the same place; a type of plate boundary where two plates collide.

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Continent

Back

Any of Earth's main continuous areas of land, such as Africa, Asia, and North America.

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Divergent

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other.

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Plate Tectonics

Back

The theory that explains the movement of Earth's plates and the processes that occur at their boundaries.

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Subduction Zone

Back

An area where one tectonic plate is being forced under another, often leading to volcanic activity.

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Fault Line

Back

A fracture in Earth's crust where blocks of land have moved past each other.

Front

Earthquake

Back

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates.