Plate Tectonics and Volcanoes

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

The pieces of land that connect together on the Earth's outer shell.

Front

How far do tectonic plates move in a year?

Back

Tectonic plates move about 2 centimeters in a year.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

One plate moves under another one, which can lead to the formation of a volcano.

Front

What is a cinder cone volcano?

Back

The simplest type of volcano where particles and blobs of lava eject from the volcano vent.

Front

What is a caldera?

Back

A large volcanic crater formed after the magma chamber collapses.

Front

What is the Earth's outer shell made of?

Back

The Earth's outer shell is made of tectonic plates.

Front

What happens at a divergent boundary?

Back

Tectonic plates move apart from each other.

Front

What is a composite volcano?

Back

A type of volcano that is formed from layers of lava and ash.

Front

What is a shield volcano?

Back

A broad, gently sloping volcano formed by the eruption of low-viscosity lava.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other.