STEMscopedia: Plate Tectonics & Vocab

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What are plate boundaries?

Back

Plate boundaries are the edges where two tectonic plates meet. They are classified into three main types: convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

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Where do we find the world's volcanoes and earthquakes?

Back

At the plate boundaries.

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What is fossil evidence?

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Fossil evidence refers to the remains of once-living organisms found in different locations, used to support the theory of continental drift.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates drift apart from each other.

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What crustal features form at a divergent boundary?

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A rift or a ridge.

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What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates collide or move towards each other.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

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What type of volcanoes are found at convergent boundaries?

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The world's most dangerous volcanoes, which can be found on land or underwater, are located at convergent boundaries.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

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What is a transform boundary?

Back

A transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

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What is the significance of Alfred Wegener's theory?

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Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift, suggesting that continents were once connected and have since drifted apart.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1