PLATE TECTONICS

Who was the idea of plate tectonics hypothesized by?

German Meteorologists Alfred Wegner

Who noted the jigsaw like rift between the east coast of South America and the west coast of Africa in 1620

Francis Bacon

What is the name of the super continent

Pangea

Define plate tectonics

The study of the movement of crustal plates and the landforms which result from these movements.

What is the lithosphere

The earth’s crust and rigid upper part of the mantle

What are the two types of crustal rocks

Continental and Oceanic

What is continental crust made up of?

Older, lighter granitic rocks

What is oceanic crust made up of?

older, denser basaltic rocks

What are the three types of plate movement/boundary?

1. Divergent (Constructive)

2. Convergent (Destructive)

3. Transform (Conservative)

How are divergent/constructive plate boundaries formed?

This occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other, resulting in the formation of new land, ocean ridges and volcanoes. Example, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (American plate moving away from the Eurasian and African plates)

How are convergent/destructive plate boundaries formed?

This occurs when two tectonic plates move towards each other, resulting in the denser tectonic plate (oceanic plate) sinks under the lighter plates (continental plate), forming deep sea trenches and volcanoes.

How are transform/conservative plate boundaries formed?

This occurs when two tectonic plates move sideways or parallel to each other, resulting in neither the formation or destruction of land, but the creation of earthquakes.

Where is the Caribbean plate located?

North of the South American plate, south of the North American plate, east of the African plate and west of the Cocos plate.

What does the Destructive boundary to the east of the Caribbean responsible for?

The creation of the Puerto Rico trench and the volcanic islands known as the Windward Islands.

How do the plates in the greater antilles move?

They move past each other, creating faults and earthquakes, but no volcanic activity.

Differentiate between natural events, hazards and disasters.

• Natural events are environmental occurrences that occur away from human habitation.

• Natural/Environmental hazards are when those occurrences have the potential to destroy human life and property.

• Natural/Environmental disasters occur when people and property is harmed.