Plate Tectonics

What are tectonic plates?

Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth's surface that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

What is the Earth's lithosphere?

The lithosphere is the outer layer of the Earth made up of the crust and the upper mantle.

What happens at a convergent boundary?

At a convergent boundary, tectonic plates collide with each other.

What happens at a divergent boundary?

At a divergent boundary, tectonic plates move away from each other.

What happens at a transform boundary?

At a transform boundary, tectonic plates slide past one another horizontally.

What is an earthquake?

An earthquake is the shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates.

What causes volcanic eruptions?

Volcanic eruptions can be caused by the movement of tectonic plates which allows magma to escape to the surface.

What is subduction?

Subduction is when one tectonic plate is pushed underneath another plate.

What is the Ring of Fire?

The Ring of Fire is an area around the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to tectonic activity.

What is a fault?

A fault is a crack in the Earth's surface where tectonic plates move past each other.

What is the mantle?

The mantle is the layer of the Earth beneath the crust, made of hot, semi-solid rock.

What are oceanic plates?

Oceanic plates are tectonic plates that lie beneath the ocean.

What are continental plates?

Continental plates are tectonic plates that make up the continents.

What is magma?

Magma is molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface.

What is a tectonic plate boundary?

A tectonic plate boundary is the edge where two tectonic plates meet.

What is continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that continents have moved over time to their current locations.

What is a geyser?

A geyser is a hot spring that erupts with steam and water due to pressure from the Earth's heat.

How do tectonic plates affect climate?

Tectonic plates can influence climate by creating mountains that block winds or change ocean currents.

What is a tsunami?

A tsunami is a series of huge waves caused by underwater earthquakes.

What tools do scientists use to study tectonic plates?

Scientists use seismographs and GPS to study tectonic plate movements.