Plate Boundaries

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What is a volcanic arc of islands?

Back

A volcanic arc of islands is a chain of volcanic islands formed at a convergent plate boundary where an oceanic plate subducts beneath another oceanic plate.

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What is Pangaea?

Back

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, where all the continents were joined together.

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What is an ocean basin?

Back

An ocean basin is the deep part of the ocean floor located on both sides of a mid-ocean ridge, where new oceanic crust is formed.

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What causes tectonic plates to move?

Back

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

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What is a transform plate boundary?

Back

A transform plate boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes.

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What is a divergent plate boundary?

Back

A divergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust, such as at mid-ocean ridges.

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What is a convergent plate boundary?

Back

A convergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates collide, which can result in mountain formation, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

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What are convection currents?

Back

Convection currents are the circular movements of molten rock in the mantle caused by heat from the Earth's core, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

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What is continental drift?

Back

Continental drift is the theory that continents have moved over geological time and were once part of a single landmass.

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What is sea floor spreading?

Back

Sea floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates pull apart.