Plate Tectonics and Plate Boundaries

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What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

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

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What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with one another.

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What is a Transform Boundary?

Back

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

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What is a Convergent Boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two plates collide, often forming mountains or causing subduction.

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What is a Divergent Boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two plates move apart, leading to the formation of new crust, such as at mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What happens at a Convergent Boundary?

Back

Two plates collide, which can create mountains, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

Front

What is Sea-Floor Spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates diverge.

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What is Subduction?

Back

The process where one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle.

Front

What are Earthquakes?

Back

Sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates along faults.

Front

What is a Fault?

Back

A crack in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred.