Plate Tectonics - Continental Drift

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory that explains the structure and movement of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

Front

What is Continental Drift?

Back

The hypothesis that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a single landmass.

Front

What is a Transform Boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other without creating or destroying crust.

Front

What is a Convergent Boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, often forming mountains or causing subduction.

Front

What is a Divergent Boundary?

Back

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move apart, leading to the creation of new crust.

Front

What is Convection in the context of plate tectonics?

Back

The process by which heat from the Earth's interior causes the movement of mantle material, driving plate tectonics.

Front

What geological features are commonly found at Convergent Boundaries?

Back

Mountains, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs.

Front

What evidence supports the theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Fossil similarities across continents, geological formations, and glacier scars found in now-warm regions.

Front

What is Subduction?

Back

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

Front

What is Sea Floor Spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates pull apart.