8.9B - Crustal Features

Front

What is a convergent plate boundary?

Back

A convergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other, leading to volcanic activity and mountain formation.

Front

What is a divergent plate boundary?

Back

A divergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move apart from each other, creating new crust as magma rises to the surface, often forming mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What is a transform fault?

Back

A transform fault is a type of fault where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes.

Front

What are island arcs?

Back

Island arcs are curved chains of volcanic islands that form along convergent plate boundaries, where an oceanic plate subducts beneath another oceanic plate.

Front

What is the significance of mid-ocean ridges?

Back

Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges formed by divergent plate boundaries, where new oceanic crust is created as magma rises.

Front

Where is the oldest rock typically found in relation to a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

The oldest rock is typically found farthest from the mid-ocean ridge, as new rock is formed at the ridge and older rock is pushed away.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries, causing geological activity.

Front

What is the role of magma in plate tectonics?

Back

Magma plays a crucial role in plate tectonics by rising to the surface at divergent boundaries to create new crust and at convergent boundaries to form volcanoes.

Front

What is a fault?

Back

A fault is a fracture in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred, often associated with earthquakes.