8.9AB Plate Tectonics

Front

What is a convergent plate boundary?

Back

A convergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates collide, often causing one plate to move below the other, leading to geological features like mountains and volcanic activity.

Front

What geological features are commonly formed at convergent boundaries?

Back

Common features include mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped area in the Pacific Ocean basin known for its high levels of seismic activity, including earthquakes and volcanoes.

Front

What happens at a divergent plate boundary?

Back

At a divergent plate boundary, two tectonic plates move apart from each other, leading to the formation of new crust, often seen in mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What is a transform plate boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle, often leading to volcanic activity.

Front

What type of plate boundary is associated with volcanic islands?

Back

Volcanic islands are typically formed at convergent plate boundaries, where an oceanic plate subducts beneath another plate.

Front

What is the primary cause of earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement of tectonic plates along faults, especially at transform boundaries.

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates diverge.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other, causing geological activity.