Plate Tectonics

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What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory explaining the structure and movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere.

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What is Sea Floor Spreading?

Back

The process that adds new oceanic crust to the ocean floor at mid-ocean ridges, causing the plates to move apart.

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What is a Transform Boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, often causing earthquakes.

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What is a Divergent Boundary?

Back

A plate boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust.

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What is a Convergent Boundary?

Back

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

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What is Subduction?

Back

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

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What is Pangaea?

Back

The supercontinent that existed around 300 million years ago, which eventually broke apart to form the continents we know today.

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What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large, rigid pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

A major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to tectonic plate movements.

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What is an Earthquake?

Back

A sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves, often caused by tectonic plate movements.