Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift

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What is Plate Tectonics?

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The theory that explains 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 Continental Drift?

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The hypothesis that continents have moved over geological time from a single supercontinent (Pangaea) to their current locations.

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What is a Tectonic Plate?

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A large, rigid piece of the Earth's lithosphere that moves and interacts with other plates.

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What is a Divergent Boundary?

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A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, often resulting in the formation of new oceanic crust.

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What is a Convergent Boundary?

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A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, leading to the formation of mountains, trenches, or volcanic activity.

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What is a Transform Boundary?

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

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What is Subduction?

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The process by which a denser tectonic plate slides beneath a less dense plate, often leading to volcanic activity.

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What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

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An underwater mountain range formed by divergent tectonic plates, where new oceanic crust is created.

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What is Pangaea?

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The name of the supercontinent that existed around 335 million years ago, before the continents drifted apart.

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What is Seafloor Spreading?

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The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and older crust is pushed away.