Plate Tectonics

Front

What is sea-floor spreading?

Back

Sea-floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is created at a divergent boundary, where tectonic plates move apart.

Front

What layer of the Earth do we live on?

Back

The layer we live on is called the crust.

Front

What is a rift valley?

Back

A rift valley is a lowland region that forms where two tectonic plates move apart.

Front

What geological features can convergent plate movement create?

Back

Convergent plate movement can create mountains, as tectonic plates collide and push against each other.

Front

What type of boundary occurs when two tectonic plates collide?

Back

A convergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates collide.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the semi-fluid layer of the upper mantle that lies beneath the lithosphere and allows for the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A transform boundary is a type of tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large, rigid pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.