Introduction to Physical Geography

The theory that continents were once joined and have since drifted apart.

The theory that Earth's outer shell is made up of moving plates.

Massive slabs of solid rock that make up Earth's lithosphere.

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, composed of crust and upper mantle.

Plate boundaries where two plates move apart.

Plate boundaries where two plates move towards each other.

Plate boundaries where two plates slide past each other.

Movements in the mantle caused by heat, driving plate movements.

The study of the natural processes and patterns of the earth's environment.

The three main layers are the crust, mantle, and core.

The outermost layer of the Earth, where we live, consisting of continental and oceanic crust.

The largest layer of the Earth, making up 85% of its volume, where temperatures range from 1,000℃ to 3,700℃.

The dense and hot center of the Earth, divided into the outer and inner core, with temperatures of 5,000-6,000℃.

The thick part of the Earth's crust that forms the continents, mainly consisting of various types of rock.

The thinner part of the Earth's crust located under the oceans, primarily made of magnesium and silicate.

The supercontinent that existed 300 million years ago, when all land masses were joined together.

Regions where tectonic plates interact, leading to earthquakes and volcanoes.

Occurs when two tectonic plates move apart, often forming ridges.

An underwater mountain range formed by diverging tectonic plates.

The process where a denser oceanic plate slides beneath a continental plate.

Deep valleys formed by the subduction of oceanic plates.

When two continental plates collide, pushing up land to form mountains.

Occurs when two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Volcanoes often form near plate boundaries where magma can escape.

Volcanic regions situated in the middle of tectonic plates, creating chains of volcanoes.

Molten rock located beneath the Earth's crust before it erupts as lava.

Molten rock that has erupted onto the Earth's surface.

Rocks formed from the cooling of magma or lava, either below or above the surface.

Rocks formed by the compaction and cementation of loose sediments over time.

Rocks altered by heat and pressure from other rock types.

Processes that break down rocks through water and wind movement.

The largest geological formation in Canada, created first during Pangea.

The process of rocks breaking down due to repeated actions like rain freezing and expanding.

Depressions caused by glaciers fill with water, creating lakes.

The youngest mountain range in Canada formed by plate collisions.

Uncontrolled expansion of single-family dwellings in urban areas.