Understanding Plate Tectonics Flashcard

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory that explains how the Earth's surface is made up of large plates that move and interact with each other.

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What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's crust that move and fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

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What is a transform boundary?

Back

A type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.

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What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, creating new crust, often seen at mid-ocean ridges.

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What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A plate boundary where two plates collide, which can create mountains or cause one plate to be pushed under another.

Front

What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

Back

An underwater mountain range formed by divergent tectonic plates, where new oceanic crust is created.

Front

What causes earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust due to the movement of tectonic plates.

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What is ocean floor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at a divergent boundary and older crust is pushed away.

Front

What is the Great Rift Valley?

Back

A geological feature formed by a divergent boundary on land, where the Earth's crust is splitting apart.

Front

What happens at a convergent boundary?

Back

Plates collide, which can lead to the formation of mountains or volcanic activity.