Continental Drift and Plate Boundaries Review

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Continental Drift

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Alfred Wegener’s theory that the continents were once all together forming a single landmass (Pangaea) but have since drifted apart.

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Plate Tectonics

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The scientific theory that describes the large-scale movements of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

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Transform Boundary

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

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Subduction

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The process where a more dense tectonic plate sinks under a less dense plate.

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Fault

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A fracture in the Earth's crust where blocks of land have moved past each other.

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Earthquake

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A sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.

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Divergent Boundary

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A plate boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other, often creating new crust.

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Convergent Boundary

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A plate boundary where two tectonic plates collide, leading to mountain building or subduction.

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Pangaea

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The supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, before breaking apart.

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Seismic Waves

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Waves of energy that travel through the Earth, often caused by earthquakes.