Term 1 Unit 1: Geologic time and Plate Tectonics

Front

What is Relative Dating?

Back

Relative dating tells us the chronological order of rocks from oldest to youngest.

Front

What is a HOT SPOT in geology?

Back

A HOT SPOT is an area of volcanism that tells us the direction of plate motion.

Front

What happens in THERMAL CONVECTION?

Back

In thermal convection, heat will cause matter (liquids and gasses) to rise.

Front

What type of plate boundary creates the biggest mountains?

Back

Continent-Continent Convergent boundaries create the biggest mountains (but not volcanoes).

Front

What is a Divergent Boundary?

Back

In Plate Tectonics, a Divergent Boundary is when two plates are moving AWAY from each other.

Front

What is the significance of Plate Tectonics?

Back

Plate Tectonics explains the movement of Earth's plates and the geological activity associated with it.

Front

Define Convergent Boundary.

Back

A Convergent Boundary is where two tectonic plates move TOWARD each other, often causing mountains or subduction.

Front

What is a Transform Boundary?

Back

A Transform Boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What is the role of magma in plate tectonics?

Back

Magma rises to the surface at divergent boundaries, creating new crust and driving plate movement.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another, often leading to volcanic activity.