Plate Tectonics Vocabulary

Plate Tectonics Vocabulary

transform boundary

the plates SLIDE PAST EACH OTHER causing EARTHQUAKES

Tectonic Plates

the idea that Earth's crust is divided into several plates that glide over the plastic-like mantle

seafloor spreading

two OCEANIC crusts move APART and CREATE MOUNTAINS under the sea; NEW CRUST is created when HOT MAGMA RISES from the mantle and SPREADS across the SEA FLOOR

convergent boundary

the plates COLLIDE or COME TOGETHER

divergent boundary

the plates DIVIDE or MOVE APART

rift valley

two CONTINENTAL crusts DIVERGE and NEW FLOOR is created; over millions of years, it will eventually fill with water.

San Andreas Fault

EXAMPLE of a TRANSFORMATION FAULT

trench

formed at a SUBDUCTION zone

Ring of Fire

a STRING OF VOLCANOES AND EARTHQUAKES around the edges of the PACIFIC ocean

Subduction Zone

the OCEANIC crust goes BELOW the CONTINENTAL crust because it is more DENSE; VOLCANOES form on the continents; a TRENCH forms at the place where the plates COLLIDE

Mid Atlantic Ridge

an EXAMPLE of a mid-ocean ridge; part of the LONGEST MOUNTAIN RANGES in the world

Plate boundary

where TWO TECTONIC PLATES MEET