Plate Tectonics and Earth Dynamics

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz

Study Flashcards

Spaced Repetition

Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What phenomenon is primarily driven by convection currents within Earth's interior?

Generation of tsunamis
Formation of mountain ranges
Creation of volcanic islands
Movement of tectonic plates (correct)

Which of the following best describes the result of convergent plate boundaries?

Sliding past each other without significant geological changes
Creation of new crust at mid-ocean ridges
Divergence and trench formation
Subduction and volcanic activity (correct)

What is indicated by seismic shadow zones?

Fluid dynamics within the mantle
Ongoing volcanic eruptions
Existence of a liquid outer core (correct)
Presence of dense continental crust

Which type of plate boundary is associated with the formation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

<p>Divergent boundary (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does density play in the movement of material within Earth's interior?

<p>Drives convection currents leading to plate motion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Convection Currents

The movement of hot material (less dense) rising and cooler material (more dense) sinking within the Earth's mantle. This cycle is driven by heat from the Earth's core and is responsible for the movement of tectonic plates.

Divergent Plate Boundaries

Where tectonic plates move apart, allowing new crust to form from rising magma. This creates features like mid-ocean ridges.

Convergent Plate Boundaries

Where tectonic plates collide, causing one plate (usually denser) to slide beneath the other (subduction). This process leads to earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges.

Transform Plate Boundaries

Where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes but not volcanic activity. An example is the San Andreas Fault.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Tsunamis

Large waves generated by a powerful earthquake that displaces a large amount of water in the ocean.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Plate Tectonics

Plates move in three ways:
- Divergent: Plates move apart, creating new crust (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge).
- Convergent: Plates collide, leading to subduction, earthquakes, and volcanoes (e.g., Andes Mountains).
- Transform: Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes (e.g., San Andreas Fault).

Energy Transfer Inside Earth

Convection Currents: Driven by heat from Earth's core.
- Hot material rises, cools, and sinks, creating a cycle driving plate motion.
Tonga Eruption Insights: Demonstrates massive energy release from Earth's interior.
- Matter movement (e.g., rising magma) is driven by density differences.

Investigative Phenomena

Seismic Activity: Patterns reveal Earth's interior structures (e.g., shadow zones indicate liquid outer core).
Tsunamis: Energy transfer from tectonic movements to ocean water.
Volcanic Eruptions: Indicators of subsurface magma movement.