Continental Rifts Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What is a continental rift?

  • An elevated mountain range.
  • A region of continental crust where there is extensional strain formed from mantle plumes and lithospheric doming. (correct)
  • A type of oceanic crust.
  • A flat area of land.

    • What defines a passive margin?

    Where continental rifting has resulted in the breakup and formation of a new ocean basin.

    What is the East African Rift System?

    Narrow rift.

    What characterizes the Basin and Range Province in the USA?

    <p>Wide rift.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a narrow rift?

    <p>Where lithosphere is thin, cool, and strong, localised zones of extensional strain exist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines a wide rift?

    <p>Where lithosphere is thick, warm, and weak with broadly distributed zones of extensional strain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Continental Rifts

    • Continental rift refers to a continental crust area experiencing extensional strain due to mantle plumes and lithospheric doming caused by plume buoyancy.

    Passive Margins

    • Passive margins occur where continental rifting has caused the breakup of continental masses, leading to the formation of new ocean basins without contact between landmasses.

    East African Rift System

    • Characterized as a narrow rift, the East African Rift system exemplifies a region where tectonic movement leads to significant geological changes.

    Basin and Range Province (USA)

    • The Basin and Range Province represents a wide rift, showcasing broader extensional features resulting from tectonic activities.

    Narrow Rift Characteristics

    • Narrow rifts develop in areas where the lithosphere is thin, cool, and strong, leading to localized zones of extensional strain over approximately 100 km.

    Wide Rift Characteristics

    • Wide rifts are found where the lithosphere is thick, warm, and weak, resulting in extensive zones of extensional strain that can span several hundred kilometers.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge about continental rifts with these flashcards. Learn key terms such as 'continental rift', 'passive margin', and the 'East African rift system'. Perfect for students studying geology or earth science.

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