Earth's Lithosphere and Tectonic Plates

Flashcards focusing on key vocabulary related to Earth's lithosphere and tectonic plates.

Lithosphere

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

Asthenosphere

The soft, ductile layer beneath the lithosphere that allows for the movement of tectonic plates.

Mesosphere

The layer below the asthenosphere, consisting of the lower mantle, which is stronger and more rigid.

Tectonic Plates

Large, rigid pieces of the lithosphere that float and move slowly over the softer asthenosphere.

Continental Drift

The hypothesis that continents have moved apart over geological time.

Constructive Plate Margin

A boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other, often resulting in the formation of new crust.

Destructive Plate Margin

A boundary where two tectonic plates move towards each other, leading to the destruction of crust.

Conservative Plate Margin

A boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other without creating or destroying crust.

Moho

The boundary between the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle.

Regolith

A layer of loose, heterogeneous material covering solid rock, including soil and broken rock.