Plate Tectonics

Front

What is a Convergent Boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other.

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What is a Divergent Boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust.

Front

What is a Transform Boundary?

Back

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

Front

What causes the movement of Earth's tectonic plates?

Back

The movement is primarily caused by convection currents in the mantle, where hot magma rises and cool magma sinks.

Front

What is convection?

Back

The process of heat transfer through the movement of fluids, which in the Earth's mantle causes the movement of tectonic plates.

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What is subduction?

Back

The process where one tectonic plate is forced under another plate, often leading to volcanic activity.

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What is the San Andreas Fault?

Back

A major transform fault in California known for its significant earthquake activity.

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Circulating patterns in the mantle caused by the heating and cooling of magma, driving plate tectonics.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A lowland region formed by the divergence of tectonic plates, often associated with volcanic activity.

Front

What is sea-floor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is created at divergent boundaries, pushing older crust away.