Understanding Plate Tectonics

Front

Plate Tectonics

Back

The moving plates of the Earth's crust that recycle rock

Front

Lithosphere

Back

outer layer of Earth, includes crust and upper mantle

Front

Tectonic Plates

Back

movable segments of the Earth's surface

Front

Continental Drift

Back

that continents move across Earth's surface

Front

Convergent Boundary

Back

move toward each other, often forming mountains

Front

Divergent Boundary

Back

move apart, creating new crust

Front

Transform Boundary

Back

slide past each other, causing earthquakes

Front

Subduction Zone

Back

plate sinks beneath another, often forming trenches

Front

Mid-Ocean Ridge

Back

mountain range under the ocean formed by divergent boundaries

Front

Sea-Floor Spreading

Back

of new oceanic crust forming at mid-ocean ridges