Plate Motion

Front

What is Plate Motion?

Back

Plate motion refers to the movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere, allowing tectonic plates to move.

Front

What causes tectonic plates to move?

Back

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

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

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

Front

What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

Evidence includes the fit of continental coastlines, fossil distribution, and the presence of similar rock formations across continents.

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

Continental drift is the theory that continents have moved over geological time from a single supercontinent to their current positions.

Front

Who proposed the theory of continental drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century.

Front

What are tectonic plate boundaries?

Back

Tectonic plate boundaries are the edges where two tectonic plates meet, which can be divergent, convergent, or transform boundaries.

Front

What happens at divergent boundaries?

Back

At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move apart, leading to the formation of new crust, often seen at mid-ocean ridges.