Plate Tectonics

The theory that the earth is broken into plates and are in motion due to convection currents in the asthenosphere (upper mantle).

• outer core

• inner core

• plate tectonics

• continental drift

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The thin and solid outermost layer of the Earth.

• outer core

• inner core

• mantle

• crust

This layer of the Earth is made from liquid iron and nickel. Motion in the liquid generates electrical currents. They, in turn, generate Earth’s magnetic field.

• outer core

• inner core

• mantle

• crust

The edges formed by the collision of two plates.

• divergent boundary

• convergent boundary

• subduction

• continental drift

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The edges between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other.

• divergent boundary

• convergent boundary

• subduction

• continental drift

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A layer inside a planetary body bounded below by a core and above by a crust. It is made of molten (liquid) rock and is generally the largest and most massive layer of the planetary body.

• outer core

• inner core

• mantle

• crust

This solid metal ball has a radius of 758 miles, or about three-quarters that of the moon. This is Earth’s deepest layer.

• outer core

• inner core

• mantle

• crust

Process in which two plates collide and the denser plate descends below the other.

• divergent boundary

• convergent boundary

• subduction

• continental drift

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

The hypothesis that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and drifted to their present locations.

• outer core

• inner core

• plate tectonics

• continental drift