Understanding Earth

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's crust that move and interact with each other due to convection currents in the mantle.

Front

What is the Earth's crust?

Back

The Earth's crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, made up of solid rocks.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

The mantle is the layer of the Earth located between the crust and the outer core, composed of hot, semi-solid rock.

Front

What is the outer core?

Back

The outer core is the layer of the Earth beneath the mantle, made of liquid iron and nickel.

Front

What is the inner core?

Back

The inner core is the Earth's innermost layer, composed of solid iron and nickel, and is extremely hot.

Front

What causes tectonic plates to move?

Back

Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle, which are caused by the heat from the Earth's core.

Front

What is convection current?

Back

Convection currents are the movement of fluid caused by differences in temperature and density, which can occur in the mantle of the Earth.

Front

What is the difference between the crust and the mantle?

Back

The crust is the solid outer layer of the Earth, while the mantle is the layer beneath it, made of semi-solid rock.

Front

What are faults?

Back

Faults are fractures in the Earth's crust where blocks of rock have moved past each other.