How is the Earth Changing?

Front

What is the movement of Earth's plates caused by?

Back

The movement of Earth's plates is caused by convection currents in the mantle, where heat from the Earth's core causes the mantle to flow and move the plates above it.

Front

What is a trench in geological terms?

Back

A trench is a steep valley or canyon in the ocean floor, formed by the interaction of tectonic plates, often at subduction zones.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

The Ring of Fire is a major area in the Pacific Ocean known for its high levels of volcanic and seismic activity, resulting from tectonic plate movements.

Front

What is the Earth's crust?

Back

The crust is the first, uppermost, outer layer of the Earth, which is very thin compared to other layers and can be either oceanic or continental.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is a layer of the Earth located beneath the lithosphere, characterized by its semi-fluid properties, allowing tectonic plates to move on top of it.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with one another, causing geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

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 trenches and volcanic activity.

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What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by the upwelling of magma at divergent tectonic plate boundaries.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What causes earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust due to the movement of tectonic plates along faults.