Tectonic

What are tectonic plates?

Tectonic plates are large slabs of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with one another.

What is the lithosphere?

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle.

What are the types of plate boundaries?

There are three main types of plate boundaries: convergent, divergent, and transform.

What occurs at convergent boundaries?

At convergent boundaries, tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to subduct under another, leading to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

What happens at divergent boundaries?

At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise from below the Earth's surface and create new crust.

What is a transform boundary?

Transform boundaries occur where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing friction and earthquakes.

What is subduction?

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, often leading to volcanic activity.

What are tectonic plate movements driven by?

Tectonic plate movements are driven by convection currents in the mantle, caused by the heat from the Earth's core.