Plate Tectonics

Front

What causes Earth's tectonic plates to move?

Back

Convection currents in the mantle.

Front

What type of plate boundary occurs when two plates collide?

Back

Convergent boundary.

Front

What is the layer of Earth that is divided into tectonic plates?

Back

Lithosphere.

Front

What is the primary cause of tectonic plate movement according to most geologists?

Back

Convection currents.

Front

What is the rigid outer part of Earth called?

Back

Lithosphere.

Front

What are the three main types of plate boundaries?

Back

Divergent, Convergent, and Transform.

Front

What occurs at a divergent boundary?

Back

Two tectonic plates move away from each other.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

The process where one tectonic plate moves under another plate.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere.

Front

What is the difference between oceanic and continental crust?

Back

Oceanic crust is thinner and denser than continental crust.