Plate Tectonics and Earth Layers

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory that explains the structure and movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

Front

What are the Earth's layers?

Back

The Earth is composed of four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.

Front

How fast do continents move?

Back

Continents move at a rate of 1-4 inches per year.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

A supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, where all continents were joined together.

Front

What causes the movement of tectonic plates?

Back

The movement is caused by convection currents in the Asthenosphere.

Front

What are the three types of plate boundaries?

Back

Convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.

Front

What happens at a convergent boundary?

Back

At convergent boundaries, tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to subduct beneath the other.

Front

What happens at a divergent boundary?

Back

At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle.