Plate Tectonics vocabulary

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What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced below the other, leading to subduction.

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What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move apart from each other, creating new seafloor as magma rises to the surface.

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What is the Continental Drift Theory?

Back

The Continental Drift Theory suggests that continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart due to tectonic plate movements.

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What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the softer, semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere, where convection currents occur.

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What is oceanic crust?

Back

Oceanic crust is the part of Earth's crust that underlies the ocean, characterized as thinner, younger, and more dense than continental crust.

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What is a transform boundary?

Back

A transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, often causing earthquakes.

Front

What evidence supports the Continental Drift Theory?

Back

Evidence includes identical fossils found on different continents, matching coastlines, and geological formations that extend across continents.

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What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate is forced under another, often leading to volcanic activity.

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What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.

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What is plate tectonics?

Back

Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that describes the large-scale movements of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.