Plate Tectonic Review

Front

What is an oceanic ridge?

Back

A continuous elevated zone on the floor of all major ocean basins, varying in width from 1000-4000 km, where the rifts at the crests represent divergent plate boundaries.

Front

How do mountains form?

Back

Mountains form from the collision of tectonic plates.

Front

What is the theory of continental drift?

Back

The theory that pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.

Front

What is a deep ocean trench?

Back

A valley in the ocean created when one lithospheric plate subducts under another.

Front

What geological features can convergent plate movement create?

Back

Convergent plate movement can create mountains.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A rift valley is a lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates.

Front

What is a subduction zone?

Back

A subduction zone is an area where one tectonic plate moves under another and is forced into the mantle.

Front

What drives the movement of tectonic plates?

Back

The movement of tectonic plates is driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

Front

What is the difference between divergent and convergent boundaries?

Back

Divergent boundaries occur where plates move apart, while convergent boundaries occur where plates collide.

Front

What is the significance of Alfred Wegener in plate tectonics?

Back

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift, which laid the groundwork for the modern theory of plate tectonics.