Plate Tectonics

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates move toward each other, often resulting in the formation of mountains, earthquakes, or volcanic activity.

Front

What fossil did Wegener use to support his hypothesis of continental drift?

Back

Wegener used the fossil Glossopteris, a plant that was found on multiple continents, as evidence for his theory of continental drift.

Front

What geological feature is created by convergent plate movement?

Back

Convergent plate movement can create mountains.

Front

What evidence did Wegener use to prove continental drift?

Back

Wegener used several pieces of evidence, including the shape of the continents, similar fossils found on separate continents, and tree fossils found in odd places.

Front

Why was Alfred Wegener's theory of Continental Drift not immediately accepted?

Back

Wegener's theory was not immediately accepted because there was no mechanism to explain how continental drift occurred.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A transform boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally, leading to earthquakes.

Front

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

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

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

Continental drift is the hypothesis that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a single landmass.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process by which one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle, often creating deep ocean trenches.