Science : Plate boundaries flashcards

Continental Drift

The idea that the continents have moved over time and were once joined together in one big landmass.

Plate Tectonics

Plate tectonics explains how Earth’s crust is broken into large pieces called tectonics plates, and these plates slowly move and interact.

Crust

The thin, outer layer of the Earth where we live.

Mantle

the thick layer under the crust, made of hot, flowing rock.

Core (inner and outer)

the very center of the Earth, made of metal. It has two parts: the outer core (liquid) and the inner core (solid)

Tectonic Plates (or just plates)

Huge pieces of Earth’s crust that move on the mantle.

Fault (Geology definition)

A crack in the Earth’s crust where movement happens, often causing earthquakes.

Fold (geology definition)

Bends in layers of rock that happens when the Earth’s crust is squeezed and pushed by moving plates.

Stress (geology definition)

Stress is the force applied to a rock or material that can cause it to deform or change shape.

Earthquake

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement along a fault.

Volcano

An opening in the Earth’s surface where lava, ash, and gases come out.

Lava

Magma that reaches the Earth’s surface.

Magma

Hot, melted rock under the Earth’s surface.

divergent boundary

A place where two plates move away from each other.

Convergent boundary

A place where two plates move towards each other.

Transform boundary

A place where two plates slide past each other.

Mid-ocean ridge

an underwater mountain range where new ocean floor is made as plates move apart

Sea floor spreading

The process where new ocean floor is made at mid-ocean ridges as plates move apart

Subduction

When one plate slides under another and goes into the mantle.

Pangaea

Pangaea was a giant supercontinent that existed long ago, like a huge jigsaw puzzle of all of Earth’s landmasses squished together.