Plate Tectonics

Front

What causes the movement of tectonic plates?

Back

The movement of tectonic plates is caused by convection currents in the Asthenosphere.

Front

What does the theory of continental drift state?

Back

The continents were once joined in a super-continent and have moved over time.

Front

What happens at a subduction zone?

Back

The denser oceanic crust is subducting under the less dense continental crust.

Front

What evidence supported Wegener’s theory of continental drift?

Back

Rock, fossil, and climate data.

Front

How are mountains formed?

Back

Mountains are created when two continental plates collide.

Front

What is the Asthenosphere?

Back

The Asthenosphere is a semi-fluid layer of the Earth's mantle that allows tectonic plates to move.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

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

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move away from each other, often creating new crust.

Front

What is a transform boundary?

Back

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