Understanding Volcanoes and Tectonic Plates

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and definitions related to volcanoes, tectonic plates, and associated geological hazards.

Geomorphological Hazards

Hazards that occur on the Earth's surface, such as flooding.

Biological Hazards

Hazards that involve living organisms, e.g., forest fires.

Atmospheric Hazards

Hazards related to weather conditions, such as hurricanes or tornadoes.

Tectonic Hazards

Hazards caused by the movement of the Earth's plates, for example, volcanoes.

Continental Crust

The thicker part of the Earth's crust, ranging from 70-40 km deep with a density of 2.7 g/cm³.

Oceanic Crust

The thinner part of the Earth's crust, approximately 6 km deep with a density of 3 g/cm³.

Tectonic Plates

Massive slabs of the Earth's crust that are in constant motion.

Convection Currents

The movement of magma in the mantle that causes the tectonic plates to shift.

Destructive Plate Boundaries

Areas where two tectonic plates move towards each other, leading to subduction.

Constructive Plate Boundaries

Areas where two tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and form new crust.

Volcanic Eruption

The occurrence of lava, ash, and gases escaping from a volcano through an opening in the Earth's crust.

Hot Spots

Areas in the Earth’s mantle where magma can escape to the surface, not necessarily at a plate boundary.

Shield Volcano

A type of volcano characterized by low profile and gentle slopes, formed by the eruption of low-viscosity lava.

Subduction Zone

Region where the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath a lighter continental plate, often leading to volcanic activity.

Pyroclastic Flow

A hazardous mixture of hot gas, ash, and volcanic rock that moves downslope during an explosive volcanic eruption.

Lava Flow

Magma that reaches the Earth's surface and flows out of a volcano.

Ash Cloud

A cloud of ash and particulate matter released into the atmosphere during a volcanic eruption.