Plate Tectonics Extra Credit

Front

What are hotspots in geology?

Back

Hotspots are areas where hot mantle plumes push up through the lithospheric plates, creating volcanic islands, such as Hawaii.

Front

How long ago did Pangaea exist?

Back

Pangaea is believed to have existed 200-300 million years ago.

Front

What crustal feature is formed when two continental plates converge?

Back

Folded Mountains are formed when two continental plates converge.

Front

What causes the movement of Earth's tectonic plates?

Back

The movement of Earth's tectonic plates is primarily caused by convection currents in the mantle.

Front

How does fossil evidence support the hypothesis of continental drift?

Back

Fossil evidence supports continental drift by showing similar fossils along continental margins, in climates that could not support them, and on separated continents.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates collide, often forming mountains or causing subduction.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move apart, often creating new oceanic crust.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another, often leading to volcanic activity.

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Convection currents are the circular movements of molten rock in the mantle that drive the movement of tectonic plates.