Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Front

What is Continental Drift?

Back

The theory that continents have moved over geological time from a single landmass to their current locations.

Front

Who proposed the theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener.

Front

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

Back

Fossil evidence, geological similarities, and the fit of continents.

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The scientific theory that describes the large-scale movements of Earth's lithosphere.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Massive slabs of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.

Front

What happens at a convergent plate boundary?

Back

Two plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other.

Front

What is a divergent plate boundary?

Back

A boundary where two tectonic plates move apart, creating new crust as magma rises.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

A boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What geological features are formed at divergent boundaries?

Back

Rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What geological features are formed at convergent boundaries?

Back

Mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs.