Plate Tectonics

Front

What is a convergent plate boundary?

Back

A convergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other, leading to subduction, mountain building, or volcanic activity.

Front

What is the outer core?

Back

The outer core is a layer of the Earth composed of liquid iron and nickel, located beneath the mantle and above the inner core, responsible for generating the Earth's magnetic field.

Front

What causes Earth's tectonic plates to move?

Back

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

Front

What occurs at a divergent boundary?

Back

At a divergent boundary, tectonic plates move apart from each other, leading to phenomena such as sea floor spreading and the formation of rift valleys.

Front

What is a divergent plate boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is sea floor spreading?

Back

Sea floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at divergent boundaries as magma rises from the mantle and solidifies.

Front

What is a transform plate boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate is forced under another, often leading to volcanic activity and the formation of deep ocean trenches.

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

The mantle is the thick layer of the Earth located between the crust and the outer core, composed of semi-solid rock that flows slowly.

Front

What is the crust?

Back

The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, consisting of solid rock and soil, where we live.