SCI 10 REVIEWER

Plate Tectonic Theory

Plate Tectonic Theory

Explains how major landforms are created as a result of Earth's subterranean movements.

Subterranean

Operating under the surface of the earth.

Lithosphere

Outer part of the earth consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Tectonic Plates

Segments of the lithosphere that glide over the earth's rocky inner layer.

Asthenosphere

Lower part of the upper mantle, semi-liquid layer consisting of melted rocks.

Continental Drift Theory

Historical scientific theory suggesting that all continents were once connected as one supercontinent called Pangaea.

Supercontinent

One big, single piece of land.

Pangaea

Supercontinent named by Alfred Wegener.

Subduction Zone

Convergent plate boundary where one plate sinks or bends beneath the other, creating an ocean trench.

Divergent Boundary

Area where two plates pull apart, creating an opening for new crust formation.

Convergent Boundary

Area where two plates collide, forming either a mountain chain or a subduction zone.

Transform Boundary

Area where two plates slide past each other, creating a zigzag pattern.

Mantle Convection

Process where heat from the Earth's core is transferred upwards to the surface, causing tectonic plate movement.

Mid-Ocean Ridges

Underwater mountain ranges that create new variations of the Earth's crust.

Driving Forces

Forces that propel or move the tectonic plates, including ridge push, slab pull, and suction.

Resisting Forces

Forces that slow down or oppose the movements of the tectonic plates, including slab resistance, transform fault resistance, collisional resistance, and drag force.

Earth's Crust

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of various rocks.

Land Formations on Plate Boundaries

Different land formations created by divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.

Primordial Heat

Heat trapped during the formation of the Earth.

Radioactive Isotopes

Tiny particles in the Earth that give off heat as they change.

Tidal Friction

Heat from the Earth's movements caused by the Moon's pull.

Rift Valley

Land formation created by the divergence of two continental plates.

Folded Mountains

Land formation created by the convergence of two continental plates.

Deep-Ocean Trench

Land formation created by the convergence of two oceanic plates.

Volcanic Island Arc

Land formation created by the convergence of two oceanic plates.

Transform Faults

Movements of transform boundaries that create earthquakes.

Seismic and Volcanic Activity

Evidences of plate movement, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions along plate boundaries.

Complementary Coast

Coastlines of continents that fit together like puzzle pieces, suggesting past connection and drift.

Fossils

Remains of plants and animals found on continents that have long been separated.

Geological Evidence

Similar rock formations and mountain ranges found on different continents.

Magnetic Polarity

Earth's magnetic field and its changes recorded in the alignment of new earth crust formed at mid-ocean ridges.

Seafloor Age

Stripes and patterns on the seafloor indicate the age of the crust, with wider stripes representing older crust.

Plate Movement

The direction of the stripes on the seafloor signifies the direction of tectonic plates moving away from mid-ocean ridges.

Volcano

An opening on the earth's surface that allows warm material to escape, causing an eruption.

Active Volcano

A volcano that has recently erupted or is currently erupting and is capable of erupting at any time.

Dormant Volcano

A volcano that has erupted in the past and may erupt again in the future, but is currently inactive.

Extinct Volcano

A volcano that has not erupted in a long time and is considered inactive.

Earthquake

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the surface.

Focus

The point underground where an earthquake starts.

Epicenter

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus, where the earthquake is felt the strongest.

Magma

Warm liquid within the earth that can rise to the surface and cause volcanic eruptions.

Mountain Belts

Chains or families of mountains formed due to the collision or convergence of tectonic plates.

Anticline

A fold in the Earth's crust where rock layers bend upward in an arch or dome shape.

Syncline

A fold in the Earth's crust where rock layers bend downward.

Pacific Ring of Fire

A chain of volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean, known for its high volcanic and seismic activity.

Peninsula

A piece of land that juts out from a larger landmass and is mostly surrounded by water.

Sutures

Boundaries where two tectonic plates have collided and merged, resulting in the formation of mountain ranges.

Alpine-Himalayan/Thetyan System

A chain of volcanoes located between Africa, Arabia, India, Europe, and Asia, consisting of different types of rocks.

Himalayan Chain

Contains the highest peaks on Earth and can be subdivided into three parallel belts:Tethys Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Great Himalayas.

Zagros and Bitlis Mountains

Mountain ranges formed by the collision of the Arabian Peninsula with Iran and Turkey at the Zagros and Bitlis sutures.

Pacific Ocean or Pacific Ring of Fire

The region surrounding the Pacific Ocean known for its high concentration of active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.