Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift

Flashcards covering key concepts of plate tectonics, including definitions and explanations related to geological phenomena.

Plate Tectonics

The theory explaining the movement of the Earth's plates and how they cause geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes.

Convection Currents

The movement of molten rock in the mantle caused by heat from the core, which drives the motion of tectonic plates.

Divergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new oceanic crust.

Convergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates move towards each other, resulting in subduction and volcanic activity.

Transform Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.

Subduction

The process where one tectonic plate is forced under another plate into the mantle.

Rift Valley

A low area found where two tectonic plates move apart, often filled with seawater.

Hot Spot

A location in the mantle where heat allows molten rock to rise to the Earth's surface, often creating islands.

Pangaea

A supercontinent that existed around 335 million years ago, when all continents were joined together.

Oceanic Crust

The layer of the Earth's crust that is found beneath the oceans, primarily made of basalt and igneous rock.