Plate Tectonics

The movement of tectonic plates is inferred by many scientists to be driven by

Convection currents in the asthenosphere

Theory of continental drift

proposed that continents were once connected and have since moved apart over geological time.

Mid-Ocean ridges (rifts) normally form where tectonic plates are..

diverging from each other, leading to seafloor spreading and the creation of new oceanic crust.

Increases with the distance from a mid-ocean ridge?

The age of the seafloor

The primary cause of convection currents in the earth’s mantle is believed to be the..

Differences in densities of earth materials

Can a major earthquake occur in Buffalo NY?

No because it is not on a plate boundary

Why did scientists not believe Alfred Wegeners theory?

They lacked sufficient evidence, such as a mechanism for continental drift.

Process of convection currents

When warm magma rises and cool magma falls when it gets dense.

Why are earthquakes common in the region of California

Earthquakes are common in California because it is located on the boundary of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates, where they interact and create significant seismic activity.

How can you identify the convection currents

In an image, the arrows should be going inward, towards each other

Divergent plate boundary

is a location where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other, allowing magma to rise and create new crust.

Convergent plate boundary

is a location where two tectonic plates are colliding or moving toward each other, often resulting in mountain formation, subduction, or earthquakes.

Transform plate boundary

is a location where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, leading to seismic activity without the creation or destruction of crust.

Subduction

is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle, often causing volcanic activity and earthquakes.