SCIENCE QUARTER 1: EARTH AND SPACE

Tectonic Plates

The rigid segments of the lithosphere that move and interact, causing geological phenomena.

Lithosphere

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of the crust and upper mantle.

Continental Crust

The thicker, lighter, less dense crust that makes up the continents, primarily made of granite.

Oceanic Crust

The thinner, heavier, denser crust that forms the ocean floors, composed mainly of basalt.

Plate Tectonic Theory

The theory that explains the movement of tectonic plates and the associated geological activities.

Asthenosphere

The semi-fluid layer of the Earth's mantle that allows tectonic plates to move over it.

Divergent Boundaries

Where tectonic plates move apart, leading to new crust formation.

Convergent Boundaries

Where tectonic plates collide, leading to subduction, mountain building, or volcanic activity.

Transform Boundaries

Where tectonic plates slide horizontally past each other.

Mantle Convection currents

The movement of heat from the inner core to the mantle, causing lithosphere plates to move.

Slab Pull

A force at convergent boundaries where an older, denser oceanic plate sinks into the mantle, pulling other parts with it.

Ridge Push

A force at mid-ocean ridges where new crust formation pushes older crust away from the ridge.

Continental Drift Theory

Proposed by Alfred Wegener, suggesting continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangea.

Seafloor Spreading

The process by which hot magma rises to create new ocean floor, pushing older crust outward.

Continental Jigsaw Puzzle

The concept that continents fit together like pieces of a puzzle, supporting the idea of continental drift.

Fossil Evidence

The presence of identical fossils on separate continents suggests they were once connected.

Rock Evidence

Matching rock formations and belts found on different continents support the theory of continental drift.

Coal Deposits

The presence of coal in regions far from the equator indicates these areas were once in warmer climates.

Magnetic Reversal

The process where Earth's magnetic poles switch places, aiding in the identification of seafloor spreading.

Age of Rocks and Magnetic Stripes

These metrics in the ocean floor support the theory of seafloor spreading.