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[Blank] is the theory that Earth's outer layer is made up of plates, which have moved throughout Earth's history.
[Blank] is the theory that Earth's outer layer is made up of plates, which have moved throughout Earth's history.
Plate tectonics
Alfred Wegener's theory that all continents were once connected in a single, large landmass (called Pangaea) that broke apart about 200 million years ago is known as ______.
Alfred Wegener's theory that all continents were once connected in a single, large landmass (called Pangaea) that broke apart about 200 million years ago is known as ______.
Continental Drift
Wegener found evidence for ______ and proposed the theory of continental drift.
Wegener found evidence for ______ and proposed the theory of continental drift.
Pangaea
Wegener's first piece of evidence was that the coastlines of some continents fit together like pieces of a ______.
Wegener's first piece of evidence was that the coastlines of some continents fit together like pieces of a ______.
[Blank] are remains of living things that lived long ago.
[Blank] are remains of living things that lived long ago.
Some mountain ranges on different continents seem to ______.
Some mountain ranges on different continents seem to ______.
Before the understanding of plate tectonics, Wegener was not able to provide a ______ for his theory of continental drift.
Before the understanding of plate tectonics, Wegener was not able to provide a ______ for his theory of continental drift.
The earth's tectonic plates continue to gradually move even today, and where one plate meets another, is called a ______.
The earth's tectonic plates continue to gradually move even today, and where one plate meets another, is called a ______.
Scientists use the locations of earthquakes, volcanoes, trenches, and mid-ocean ridges to outline ______.
Scientists use the locations of earthquakes, volcanoes, trenches, and mid-ocean ridges to outline ______.
Plates are pushed and pulled over the surface of the Earth due to unbalanced ______.
Plates are pushed and pulled over the surface of the Earth due to unbalanced ______.
When ______ reach the surface, plates are pushed apart.
When ______ reach the surface, plates are pushed apart.
As the water at the bottom of a pot is heated, the water at the bottom expands and becomes less ______ than the cooler water above it.
As the water at the bottom of a pot is heated, the water at the bottom expands and becomes less ______ than the cooler water above it.
The cooler, denser water sinks, and the warmer water rises to the surface to create a cycle called a ______.
The cooler, denser water sinks, and the warmer water rises to the surface to create a cycle called a ______.
Scientists think that ______ are part of a convection system.
Scientists think that ______ are part of a convection system.
As the mantle material moves, it drags the overlying ______ along with it.
As the mantle material moves, it drags the overlying ______ along with it.
Plates move toward each other at a ______, where destructive boundaries deform the plates.
Plates move toward each other at a ______, where destructive boundaries deform the plates.
Most volcanoes (but not all) form along convergent boundaries, as one plate is pushed under another and the old crust ______.
Most volcanoes (but not all) form along convergent boundaries, as one plate is pushed under another and the old crust ______.
As two plates rub against one another, a number of small and large earthquakes could occur near ______ boundaries.
As two plates rub against one another, a number of small and large earthquakes could occur near ______ boundaries.
When both colliding plates are continental, the plates push against each other, creating ______.
When both colliding plates are continental, the plates push against each other, creating ______.
Plates move away from each other, also known as ______, which are constructive boundaries since they produce new land.
Plates move away from each other, also known as ______, which are constructive boundaries since they produce new land.
As the two sides of the crust move away from each other at divergent boundaries, ______ wells up from the Earth's interior.
As the two sides of the crust move away from each other at divergent boundaries, ______ wells up from the Earth's interior.
Plates move side by side at a ______ – transform boundaries neither create nor consume crust.
Plates move side by side at a ______ – transform boundaries neither create nor consume crust.
Transform boundaries release tension, which creates an ______.
Transform boundaries release tension, which creates an ______.
The ______ in California, is a continental transform fault created by the Pacific Plate moving northwest and the North American Plate moving southeast.
The ______ in California, is a continental transform fault created by the Pacific Plate moving northwest and the North American Plate moving southeast.
[Blank] carry energy from an earthquake away from the focus, through Earth's interior, and across the surface.
[Blank] carry energy from an earthquake away from the focus, through Earth's interior, and across the surface.
An ______ is the shaking that results when rocks move inside Earth, caused by stress along a fault.
An ______ is the shaking that results when rocks move inside Earth, caused by stress along a fault.
The point below the surface where the rock breaks and energy is released is known as the ______.
The point below the surface where the rock breaks and energy is released is known as the ______.
A ______ occurs when the rock breaks, causing movement along the broken surface and a split in the surface.
A ______ occurs when the rock breaks, causing movement along the broken surface and a split in the surface.
The ______ is the point on the surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
The ______ is the point on the surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
[Blank] are caused by earthquakes and travel through Earth, carrying the energy released by rocks.
[Blank] are caused by earthquakes and travel through Earth, carrying the energy released by rocks.
[Blank] are seismic waves, also known as primary waves, that move out from the earthquake's focus and can travel through solids and liquids.
[Blank] are seismic waves, also known as primary waves, that move out from the earthquake's focus and can travel through solids and liquids.
[Blank] are seismic waves that travel only through solid rock.
[Blank] are seismic waves that travel only through solid rock.
[Blank] are combined P and S waves that travel along Earth's surface and cause the most damage by making the ground roll.
[Blank] are combined P and S waves that travel along Earth's surface and cause the most damage by making the ground roll.
The Indo-Australian Plate crashed into the Eurasian Plate millions of years ago to become Earth's highest mountain range known as the ______.
The Indo-Australian Plate crashed into the Eurasian Plate millions of years ago to become Earth's highest mountain range known as the ______.
As the two sides of the crust move away from each other at the divergent boundaries, ______ volcanoes emerge over time along a line.
As the two sides of the crust move away from each other at the divergent boundaries, ______ volcanoes emerge over time along a line.
The boundaries of ______ plates do not always match the outlines of continents.
The boundaries of ______ plates do not always match the outlines of continents.
As the hot material rises, the cooler, denser material flows away from the hot material and sinks into the mantle to replace the ______ material.
As the hot material rises, the cooler, denser material flows away from the hot material and sinks into the mantle to replace the ______ material.
Climatic evidence such as glaciers in areas that are now close to the ______ are evidence of the continental drift theory.
Climatic evidence such as glaciers in areas that are now close to the ______ are evidence of the continental drift theory.
When energy is released from an earthquake's focus, ______ carry the energy.
When energy is released from an earthquake's focus, ______ carry the energy.
When both converging plates contain oceanic crust, one plate slides under the other where ______ often form.
When both converging plates contain oceanic crust, one plate slides under the other where ______ often form.
Flashcards
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
Earth's outer layer is made up of plates that have moved throughout history, explaining mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
Continental Drift
Continental Drift
Alfred Wegener's theory that continents were once connected in a single landmass (Pangaea) and drifted.
Pangaea
Pangaea
Continents were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea.
Tectonic plate movement
Tectonic plate movement
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Plate Boundary
Plate Boundary
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Identifying Plate Boundaries
Identifying Plate Boundaries
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Plate Movement
Plate Movement
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Mantle Convection Process
Mantle Convection Process
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Convergent Boundary
Convergent Boundary
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Volcano formation on Convergent Boundaries
Volcano formation on Convergent Boundaries
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Divergent Boundary
Divergent Boundary
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Transform Boundary
Transform Boundary
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Seismic Waves
Seismic Waves
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Earthquake
Earthquake
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Focus (Earthquake)
Focus (Earthquake)
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Fault (Earthquake)
Fault (Earthquake)
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Epicenter
Epicenter
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Seismic waves
Seismic waves
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P Waves
P Waves
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S Waves
S Waves
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Surface Waves
Surface Waves
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Study Notes
- The theory of plate tectonics explains the formation of mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes
- Earth's outer layer consists of plates that have moved throughout its history
Continental Drift
- Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift
- The continents were once connected in a single landmass called Pangaea, which broke apart 200 million years ago
- Wegener found evidence for Pangaea when he proposed the theory of continental drift
- Continents were once part of a single landmass that broke apart
- Coastlines of some continents fit together like puzzle pieces, supporting the idea of continental drift
Wegener's Evidence
- Similar fossils have been discovered in matching coastlines on different continents,
- Mountain ranges on different continents also seem to match such as ranges in Canada matching Norway and Sweden
- Appalachian Mountains matching UK mountains
- Climatic evidence can be found in the form of glaciers in areas now close to the Equator
Alfred Wegener
- In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed that a large "supercontinent" called Pangea existed and then split into pieces
- Wegener backed up this theory with fossil and glacial deposit evidence
- Wegener was unable to provide a mechanism for his theory
- The major mechanism was later discovered in the oceans
Earth's Tectonic Plates
- Earth's tectonic plates continue to gradually move even today
- Where one plate meets another it is called a boundary
- The boundaries of tectonic plates do not always match the outlines of continents
- Scientists use the locations of earthquakes, volcanoes, trenches, and mid-ocean ridges to outline tectonic plates
Plate Movement
- Plates are "pushed" and "pulled" over the surface of the Earth due to unbalanced forces
- When convection currents reach the surface, plates are pushed apart
- As the plates move away from each other, part of them are pulled into the Earth's mantle
Causes of Plate Motion
- The convection process can be modeled by boiling water in a pot on the stove
- Cooler, denser water sinks, and warmer water rises to the surface to create a convection cell
- Tectonic plates are part of a convection system
- Hot material rises, cooler, denser material flows away from the hot material and sinks into the mantle to replace the rising material
- Movement of mantle material drags the overlying tectonic plates along with it
Convergent Boundary
- Plates move toward each other, creating a convergent boundary that is destructive because they deform the plates
- Most volcanoes form along these convergent boundaries as one plate is pushed under another and the old crust melts
- Small and large earthquakes can occur near convergent boundaries as two plates rub against one another
- When both oceanic plates converge, one slides under the other to often form island groups at this boundary
- When both continental plates push against each other, this creates mountain ranges
- The Himalayas was formed millions of years ago when the Indo-Australian Plate crashed into the Eurasian Plate and continues pushing today at a rate of about 5 cm a year
Divergent Boundary
- Plates move away from each other in a Divergent zone, which is constructive because they produce new land
- Divergent boundaries take place at ocean ridges
- As two sides of the crust move away from each other, magma wells up from the Earth's interior.
- Magma solidifies into rock as its cooled by the sea, creating new ocean floor and could cause some volcanoes and earthquakes to form.
- Ridges are zones of intense volcanic activity that can form at the bottom of oceans or on continents, resulting in a line of emerging volcanoes
Transform Boundary
- Plates move side by side, creating a Transform Boundary which neither create nor consume crust
- Instead, two plates move against each other, building up tension, then releasing the tension in a sudden, often violent jerk, creating earthquakes
- San Andreas Fault is a famous transform boundary
- The San Andreas Fault has the Pacific Plate moving northwest to the west of the fault
- It has the North American Plate moving southeast to the east
Earthquakes and Seismic Waves
- Seismic waves carry energy from an earthquake away from the focus, through Earth's interior, and across the surface
- Earthquakes are the shaking that results when rocks move inside the Earth
- Earthquakes are caused by stress along a fault
- Stress increases until the rocks break and release stored energy
- The focus point is below the surface where the rock breaks and energy is released
- Fauilt happens As soon as a rock breaks movement occurs along the broken surface causing a split in the surface
- The epicenter the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus
Three Kinds of Seismic Waves
- P waves Move out from the earthquake's focus Travel the fastest Travel through solid and liquid layers of the Earth Push and pull rock creating a back-and-forth (side to side) motion in the direction the wave is moving (longitudinal wave)
- S Waves Move rocks up and down waves Travel more slowly than P waves but do more damage Can only go through solid rock.
- Surface Waves Combined P and S waves that travel along Earth's surface They are the slowest seismic waves, but do the most damage because they make the ground roll like the ocean
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