Podcast
Questions and Answers
What geological feature is commonly associated with oceanic plate divergence?
What geological feature is commonly associated with oceanic plate divergence?
- Mid-ocean ridge (correct)
- Folding mountains
- Subduction zone
- Volcanic island arc
The Himalayas are a direct result of what type of plate boundary interaction?
The Himalayas are a direct result of what type of plate boundary interaction?
- Oceanic plate subduction
- Transform plate boundary
- Continental plate convergence (correct)
- Continental plate divergence
What geological event is primarily associated with transform plate boundaries?
What geological event is primarily associated with transform plate boundaries?
- Rift valley formation
- Volcanic eruptions
- Mountain building
- Earthquakes (correct)
The East African Rift Zone is an example of what type of plate boundary?
The East African Rift Zone is an example of what type of plate boundary?
What process occurs when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, creating a subduction zone?
What process occurs when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, creating a subduction zone?
Which of Earth's layers is characterized as being composed of a solid rock that includes the crust and upper mantle?
Which of Earth's layers is characterized as being composed of a solid rock that includes the crust and upper mantle?
What is the primary driving force behind the movement of tectonic plates?
What is the primary driving force behind the movement of tectonic plates?
In the context of plate tectonics, what is Pangaea?
In the context of plate tectonics, what is Pangaea?
Which layer of the Earth is composed mainly of iron and nickel, and is in a solid state due to immense pressure?
Which layer of the Earth is composed mainly of iron and nickel, and is in a solid state due to immense pressure?
What is the state of the material in Earth's asthenosphere, which allows for the movement of tectonic plates?
What is the state of the material in Earth's asthenosphere, which allows for the movement of tectonic plates?
What is the primary characteristic of the Earth's outer core?
What is the primary characteristic of the Earth's outer core?
Which type of evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics and the former existence of Pangaea?
Which type of evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics and the former existence of Pangaea?
Why is the oceanic plate more likely to subduct under a continental plate when they converge?
Why is the oceanic plate more likely to subduct under a continental plate when they converge?
Which geological feature is most likely to form at the convergence of two oceanic plates?
Which geological feature is most likely to form at the convergence of two oceanic plates?
What role do convection currents play within Earth's mantle?
What role do convection currents play within Earth's mantle?
Which best describes the composition of the Earth's crust?
Which best describes the composition of the Earth's crust?
Which of the following explains why the inner core remains solid despite extremely high temperatures?
Which of the following explains why the inner core remains solid despite extremely high temperatures?
Which of the following terms describes the middle mantle, characterized as soft liquid rock?
Which of the following terms describes the middle mantle, characterized as soft liquid rock?
Which of the following best describes what the lithosphere is made of?
Which of the following best describes what the lithosphere is made of?
What is the accepted theory that explains the movement of continents, which were once connected?
What is the accepted theory that explains the movement of continents, which were once connected?
Flashcards
Lithosphere
Lithosphere
The Earth's crust and upper mantle, broken into sections or plates.
Asthenosphere
Asthenosphere
Upper part of the mantle below the lithosphere.
Divergent plate boundary
Divergent plate boundary
Plates move apart, creating a mid-ocean ridge or rift valley.
Converging plate boundary
Converging plate boundary
Signup and view all the flashcards
Transform plate boundary
Transform plate boundary
Signup and view all the flashcards
Seafloor spreading
Seafloor spreading
Signup and view all the flashcards
Continental drift theory
Continental drift theory
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pangaea
Pangaea
Signup and view all the flashcards
Mid-ocean ridge
Mid-ocean ridge
Signup and view all the flashcards
Rift zone
Rift zone
Signup and view all the flashcards
Volcanic island arc
Volcanic island arc
Signup and view all the flashcards
Folding mountains
Folding mountains
Signup and view all the flashcards
Volcanic mountain chain
Volcanic mountain chain
Signup and view all the flashcards
Fault Line
Fault Line
Signup and view all the flashcards
Convection currents
Convection currents
Signup and view all the flashcards
lithosphere
lithosphere
Signup and view all the flashcards
Asthenosphere
Asthenosphere
Signup and view all the flashcards
New oceanic crust
New oceanic crust
Signup and view all the flashcards
Inner core is the hottest layer
Inner core is the hottest layer
Signup and view all the flashcards
Primary Causes of tectonic plates
Primary Causes of tectonic plates
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- In the 1960s, scientists combined Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift and Harry Hess's theory of seafloor spreading into a unified theory known as plate tectonics.
- Plate tectonics is now the accepted idea that the Earth's crust and upper mantle, together referred to as the lithosphere, are broken into sections, or plates.
- These plates are moving on the asthenosphere, or the upper part of the mantle just below the lithosphere.
- Convection currents cause plate movement because Earth is extremely hot in the mantle and the heat within Earth is trying to escape.
- Some plates are composed of continental crust, some are oceanic crust, and some have a little of both.
- At divergent plate boundaries, plates are being pulled away from one another.
- When an oceanic plate splits, a mid-ocean ridge forms.
- When a continental plate is pulled apart, a rift valley forms.
- The East African Rift, where Africa is being pulled apart, is an example of a rift valley.
- At converging plate boundaries, plates come together.
- When an oceanic plate and continental plate collide, the oceanic plate is subducted (or pushed under) the continental plate, creating a subduction zone, where volcanoes and earthquakes result.
- When two continental plates collide, neither plate is dense enough to be subducted, so both plates are uplifted, creating mountains, as is the case with the Himalayas, which formed when India smashed into Asia.
- When two oceanic plates collide, one plate is subducted forming both an oceanic trench, and a chain of volcanoes.
- At transform plate boundaries, two plates are sliding past one another.
- Transform plate boundaries, such as the San Andreas Fault, are the cause of many destructive earthquakes.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
