plate tectonics

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers, generated by earthquakes or other geological activity. They are used by scientists to study the Earth's interior.

Front

What causes Earth's tectonic plates to move?

Back

Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle, which are caused by the heat from the Earth's core.

Front

What is a plate boundary zone?

Back

A plate boundary zone is an area where more than two tectonic plates interact in various ways, leading to geological activity.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the plastic layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere, allowing tectonic plates to move.

Front

How do temperature, pressure, and density change from the inner core to the crust?

Back

As you travel from the inner core to the crust, temperature, pressure, and density all decrease.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Convection currents are movements within the mantle caused by the heat from the Earth's core, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle, often causing earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Front

What are divergent boundaries?

Back

Divergent boundaries are areas where tectonic plates move apart from each other, often leading to the formation of new crust.

Front

What are convergent boundaries?

Back

Convergent boundaries are areas where tectonic plates collide, leading to mountain formation, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.