Lithospheric Plates, Plate Tectonic Theory, Locating Earthquake Epicenters, Tectonic Settings and Geologic Features in the Philippines - Reviewer

Flashcards about Lithospheric Plates, Plate Tectonic Theory, Locating Earthquake Epicenters, Tectonic Settings and Geologic Features in the Philippines

Lithosphere

The solid outer layer of the Earth, including the crust and uppermost part of the mantle.

Basaltic rock

Makes up the oceanic crust.

Granitic rock

Makes up the continental crust.

Asthenosphere

Located beneath the lithosphere, a partially molten layer that allows tectonic plates to move.

Tectonic Plates

Huge slabs of solid rock that make up the lithosphere.

Convergent boundary

Boundary where tectonic plates collide resulting in volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain formation, and deep ocean trenches.

Divergent boundary

Boundary where tectonic plates tear apart, resulting in volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain formation, and deep ocean trenches.

Transform boundary

Boundary where tectonic plates slide past each other,resulting in volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain formation, and deep ocean trenches.

Plate Tectonic Theory

Explains the processes at plate boundaries and is supported by technological advancements like Zircon dating.

Plate Tectonic Theory

States that the lithosphere is divided into rigid slabs called tectonic plates that float and move over the asthenosphere.

Causes of Plate Movement

Plate movements are driven by gravity, temperature, pressure, density differences and mantle convection currents.

Convergent Plate Movement

Plates collide, forming trenches, earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains.

Divergent Plate Movement

Plates move apart, forming mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys.

Transform Plate Movement

Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Earthquakes

From grinding and sudden release of energy at plate boundaries.

Volcanoes

From subducted plates melting into magma that rises.

Trenches

Formed at subduction zones where denser oceanic plates sink.

Mid-ocean ridges

Formed by divergent plates at ocean floors.

Mountain ranges

Formed by collision and compression of plates.

Epicenter

The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus (origin of the earthquake).

Triangulation method

Uses recorded seismic activities in at least three seismic stations to find the probable location of the earthquake epicenter.

PHIVOLCS

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology; the agency that monitors and reports earthquake data in the Philippines.

Body Waves

Travel through Earth's interior and include P waves and S waves.

P Waves (Primary waves)

Arrive first and move like an accordion. Travel through solids and liquids.

S Waves (Secondary waves)

Arrive after P waves and shake the ground side-to-side and up-down. Travel through solids only.

Surface Waves

Travel along the Earth’s crust, cause the most destruction, and arrive after body waves.

Travel Time Chart

Used when earthquakes are thousands of kilometers away. Helps plot the time difference (minutes) between P and S waves to determine the distance from the seismic station.

Subduction

Results in the formation of mountain belts, active volcanoes, and earthquake epicenters

Mountain belt

A group of mountain ranges that are elongated and thicker than 70 km.

Trenches

deep depressions formed by subduction