Plate Tectonics

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory that explains the structure and movement of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

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 below the other.

Front

What is a Divergent Boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates move apart from each other, often resulting in the formation of new oceanic crust.

Front

What is a Transform Boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What is Subduction?

Back

The process by which one tectonic plate is forced under another plate into the mantle.

Front

What are Convection Currents?

Back

The movement of fluid caused by differences in temperature and density, which helps drive the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What is the Asthenosphere?

Back

The semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere that allows tectonic plates to move.

Front

What is the theory of Continental Drift?

Back

The hypothesis that continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart over geological time.

Front

What is a Mid-Ocean Ridge?

Back

An underwater mountain range formed by the upwelling of magma at divergent boundaries.