Plate Tectonics

Front

What is the North American Plate?

Back

The North American Plate is a tectonic plate that includes both land mass (such as North America) and sea floor (such as parts of the Atlantic Ocean).

Front

What color represents the oldest rock on the sea floor?

Back

Dark blue represents the oldest rock on the sea floor.

Front

Is the formation of Pangaea a unique event?

Back

No, the formation of Pangaea is not unique and similar events can occur in the future.

Front

How fast do tectonic plates move?

Back

Tectonic plates move at rates of centimeters per year (cm/yr).

Front

Where are magnetic north and geographic north located?

Back

Magnetic north and geographic north are not located where the lines of longitude converge; they are different points.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

Front

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement of the Earth's plates and how they interact, leading to geological phenomena.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

Continental drift is the theory that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together.

Front

What is a fault line?

Back

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