Plate Tectonics Lecture

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to plate tectonics and geosciences, based on the lecture notes.

Plate Tectonics

The theory explaining the structure and movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

Isochron Dating

A method used to date rocks and minerals by analyzing the ratio of parent to daughter isotopes.

Half-Life

The time required for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to decay.

Continental Drift

The hypothesis that continents have moved across the Earth's surface over geological time.

Seafloor Spreading

The formation of new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges, which pushes tectonic plates apart.

Subduction Zone

An area where one tectonic plate is being forced under another, often leading to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Geochronology

The science of dating geological events in Earth's history using techniques such as radiometric dating.

Magnetometer

An instrument used to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields, often used in geological studies.

Daughter Isotope

The product of the radioactive decay of a parent isotope.

Lithosphere

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