Plate Tectonics

Earth’s Crust

The outer most layer of the Earth. This is the layer we walk on.

Tectonic Plates

Slowly moving pieces of Earth’s crust.

Convection

Movement caused by warm fluids rising and cooler fluids sinking.

Divergent Boundary

A boundary of two tectonic plates where the plates move away from each other.

Convergent Boundary

A boundary of two tectonic plates where the plates move towards each other.

Transform Boundary

A boundary of two tectonic plates where the plates slide past each other.

Subduction

process of one tectonic plate melting, sliding, or falling beneath another.

Uplift

When two tectonic plates slowly crash into each other and mountains are formed.

Seismologist

A scientist who studies earthquakes.

Lithosphere

outer, solid portion of the Earth. Also called the geosphere

Asthenosphere

layer in Earth's mantle between the lithosphere (above) and the upper mantle (below).

Mantle

middle layer of the Earth, made of mostly solid rock.

Hot Spot

intensely hot region deep within the Earth that rises to just underneath the surface. Some hot spots produce volcanoes.

Sonar

method of determining the presence and location of an object using sound waves (echolocation).

Rift Valley

depression in the ground caused by the Earth's crust spreading apart.

Mid-Ocean Ridge

underwater mountain range.