ch 4 plate tectonics

Front

What is Plate Tectonics?

Back

The theory that Earth's surface is broken into large, rigid pieces (plates) that move with respect to each other.

Front

What causes convection currents in the Earth's mantle?

Back

The heat from the Earth's core causes the mantle's material to heat up, become less dense, and rise, creating convection currents.

Front

Who proposed the theory of continental drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

A supercontinent that existed millions of years ago, where all continents were joined together.

Front

What are the three types of plate boundaries?

Back

Convergent, Divergent, and Transform boundaries.

Front

What happens at a convergent boundary?

Back

Two tectonic plates collide, which can cause mountains to form or one plate to be subducted beneath another.

Front

What is the outer core primarily composed of?

Back

Iron and nickel.

Front

What is the difference between magma and lava?

Back

Magma is molten rock beneath the Earth's surface, while lava is magma that has reached the surface.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

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