APES Unit 4 Vocab Quiz Review

core

the innermost zone of earth’s interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel; it includes a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer

mantle

the layer of earth above the core, containing magma, the asthenosphere, and the solid upper mantle

magma

molten rock

asthenosphere

the layer of earth located in the outer part of the mantle, composed of semi-molten rock

lithosphere

the outermost layer of earth, including the solid upper mantle and crust

plate tectonics

the theory that the lithosphere of earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion

earthquake

a sudden movement of earth’s crust caused by a release of potential energy from the movement of tectonic plates

hot spot

in geology, a place where molten material from earth’s mantle reaches the lithosphere

volcano

a vent in the surface of the earth that emits ash, gases, or molten lava

tsunami

a series of waves in the ocean caused by seismic activity or an undersea volcano that causes a massive displacement of water

divergent boundary

an area below the ocean where tectonic plates move away from each other

seafloor spreading

caused by a divergent boundary, in which rising magma forms new oceanic crust on the seafloor at the boundaries between those plates

convergent boundary

an area where one plate moves toward another plate and collides

subduction

the process in which the edge of an oceanic plate moves downward beneath the continental plate and is pushed toward the center of the earth

island arc 

a chain of islands formed by volcanoes as a result of two tectonic plates coming together and experiencing subduction

collision zone

an area where two continental plates are pushed together and the colliding forces push up the crust to form a mountain range

transform boundary

an area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other

fault

a fracture in rock caused by a movement of earth’s crust