Plate Tectonics

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

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

Front

What is the Earth's crust?

Back

The Earth's crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, composed of solid rock.

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

The mantle is the layer of the Earth located below the crust, composed of semi-solid rock and is responsible for tectonic plate movement.

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 a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, often resulting in the formation of new crust.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, leading to subduction or mountain formation.

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 is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the semi-fluid layer of the mantle located beneath the lithosphere, allowing for the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What causes tectonic plates to move?

Back

Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle caused by the heat from the Earth's core.