Vocab Plate Tectonics

Earth’s Crust

The outermost solid layer of the planet, a thin shell of rock that forms the surface of the Earth.

Lithosphere

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

Oceanic Crust

The part of the Earth's crust that underlies the ocean basins, primarily composed of basalt and thinner than continental crust.

Continental Crust

The portion of the Earth's crust that forms the continents, generally thicker and composed mainly of granitic rocks.

Asthenosphere

The semi-fluid layer of the Earth's mantle located beneath the lithosphere, allowing for the movement of tectonic plates.

Mantle

The thick layer of the Earth's interior between the crust and the core, composed of silicate rocks that are solid but can flow slowly over geological timescales.

Density

A measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume of a substance, often influencing the behavior of tectonic plates.

Heat Distribution

The process by which thermal energy is spread throughout the Earth's layers, affecting tectonic activity and the movement of plates.

Convection Currents

The circular movements of fluid caused by the heating and cooling of material, which play a crucial role in transferring heat within the Earth's mantle and driving tectonic plate movements.

Slab-Pull

The process where a tectonic plate sinks into the mantle under its own weight, pulling the rest of the plate along with it, contributing to plate movement.

Ridge-Push

is a tectonic process where elevated mid-ocean ridges push tectonic plates away from the ridge crest due to gravitational forces, contributing to plate movement.

Convergent Boundaries

are regions where two tectonic plates collide, often leading to mountain formation, subduction, or volcanic activity.

Subduction Zone

is an area where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, leading to geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Continent to Continent

convergent boundary where two continental plates collide, resulting in mountain ranges and seismic activity.

Oceanic to Continent

is a convergent boundary where an oceanic plate is forced beneath a continental plate, often resulting in volcanic arcs and deep ocean trenches.

Oceanic to Oceanic

is a convergent boundary where one oceanic plate is forced beneath another, leading to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic island arcs.

Divergent Boundary

is a tectonic boundary where two plates move apart from each other, leading to the formation of new oceanic crust, mid-ocean ridges, and volcanic activity.

Continental Divergence

is a tectonic boundary where two continental plates move away from each other, resulting in rift valleys and the potential creation of new oceanic crust.

Ocean Crust Divergence

is a tectonic setting where oceanic plates separate, leading to the formation of new oceanic crust and mid-ocean ridges.

Transform Fault Boundary

is a tectonic boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes and fault lines.

Hot Spots

are volcanic regions where magma from deep within the Earth's mantle rises to the surface, independent of tectonic plate boundaries.

Volcanoes

are geological formations that erupt molten rock, ash, and gases from beneath the Earth's crust, typically found at tectonic plate boundaries or hot spots.

Earthquakes

are sudden shaking or vibrations of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates along faults, releasing energy.

Tsunamis

are large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, often leading to significant coastal flooding.