15 Questions
What is the primary theory that explains the large-scale changes on the Earth's surface?
Plate tectonics
What is the layer of the Earth that the plates ride along on?
Asthenosphere
What is the main theory behind plate movement?
The radioactive decay of uranium and other elements
How do the thicknesses of continental and oceanic plates typically differ?
The thickness of plates depends on the type of crust and location
Which layer of the Earth is mainly made up of oxygen, silicon, magnesium, and iron?
Mantle
What was the primary mystery that the theory of plate tectonics helped solve?
The drifting of continents
What process is responsible for the movement of plates from the mantle's convection currents encountering the thin crust?
Ridge push
What type of crust is typically thinner than continental crust?
Oceanic crust
Why does oceanic crust easily slide under another plate back into the mantle?
Due to its high density
When was the theory of plate tectonics first proposed?
In the mid-20th century
What causes plates to move as they ride on the mantle according to the text?
Convection cells in the mantle
What is the primary function of the asthenosphere in the context of plate tectonics?
It provides the energy to drive plate movement
Which event marks the location where one plate is sliding under another in converging boundaries?
Deep ocean trenches
What type of current is responsible for moving plates due to differences in rock temperature within the Earth?
Convection current
What causes plates at spreading centers to flow downhill and eventually flatten out to the ocean floor?
Ridge push
Explore the fascinating concept of plate tectonics and its relevance to the Earth's structure. Learn how the movement of these plates shapes our planet's surface and impacts natural phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes.
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