Plate Tectonics Review

Front

What forms when oceanic plates move apart from each other?

Back

New crust/seafloor is formed at places called mid-ocean ridges or rift valleys form in the middle of a continental plate.

Front

What causes volcanic activity in Iceland?

Back

Iceland is formed directly above the mid-Atlantic ocean ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates are diverging.

Front

Where is volcanic activity most likely found based on tectonic plate boundaries?

Back

Volcanic activity is most likely found at locations where tectonic plates meet, such as Location Z.

Front

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics at the boundary of two oceanic plates.

Front

What happens at a divergent plate boundary?

Back

At a divergent plate boundary, tectonic plates move apart, leading to the formation of new crust.

Front

What are convection currents in the mantle?

Back

Convection currents in the mantle are the movement of molten rock caused by heat from the Earth's core, driving plate tectonics.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

The Ring of Fire is a major area in the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to tectonic plate boundaries.

Front

What is the San Andreas Fault?

Back

The San Andreas Fault is a transform fault in California where the Pacific Plate and North American Plate slide past each other.

Front

What is the difference between oceanic and continental plates?

Back

Oceanic plates are denser and thinner than continental plates, which are thicker and less dense.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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