Plate Tectonics: Key Concepts and Evidence for Earth’s Lithosphere

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10 Terms

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What is the lithosphere?

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, including the crust and uppermost mantle, broken into tectonic plates.

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What drives plate tectonics?

Convection in the mantle, slab pull, and ridge push.

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Divergent boundary

Boundary where plates move apart; creates new crust at mid-ocean ridges.

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Convergent boundary

Boundary where plates collide; subduction zones or mountain building.

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Transform boundary

Boundary where plates slide past each other; causes earthquakes (e.g., San Andreas Fault).

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Evidence for plate tectonics

Fit of continents, fossil distribution, paleomagnetism, seafloor spreading, earthquake/volcano patterns.

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Paleomagnetism

The record of Earth's magnetic field preserved in rocks; supports seafloor spreading.

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Subduction zone

Region where one plate sinks beneath another into the mantle.

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Mid-ocean ridge

Underwater mountain range formed by upwelling magma at divergent boundaries.

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Hotspot

Stationary mantle plume creating volcanic chains (e.g., Hawaiian Islands).