Plate Tectonics

Front

What is the Theory of Continental Drift?

Back

A hypothesis proposed by Alfred Wegener that suggests continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangea.

Front

What causes the movement of Earth's tectonic plates?

Back

The movement is primarily caused by convection currents in the mantle, which are driven by heat from the Earth's core.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A location where two tectonic plates collide, often leading to the formation of mountains or trenches.

Front

What layer of the Earth flows slowly and causes the crust to move?

Back

The mantle.

Front

What is a volcano?

Back

An opening on the Earth's crust through which hot molten rock (magma) flows out from deep inside the Earth.

Front

What is the Earth's crust?

Back

The outermost layer of the Earth, which is solid and relatively thin compared to the layers beneath it.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A location where two tectonic plates move away from each other, often resulting in the formation of new crust.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A location where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper part of the mantle.