2.1 Tectonic Processes
Earthquake: a sudden release of energy inside the Earth that creates seismic waves; usually caused by novement of tectonic plates or volcanic activity.
Crust: The outermost layer of rock on Earth
Mantle: region of molten rock within the interior of the Earth, between the core and the crust
Core: the dense, central region within Earth
Seismic: having to do with vibrations of the Earth's crust; earthquakes
oceanic crust: the dense, basaltic layer of crust that makes up the bottom of the ocean basins
Continental crust: the thicker, less dense crust that makes up the foundation of the continents
Continental drift: a theory supported the possibility that continents are able to move over Earth's surface
\ Plate Tectonics: the process where large sections (plates) of the Earth's crust are in constant movement over the fluid mantle, causing earthquakes and volcanoes at the borders between plates 10 Lithosphere: the outermost layer of the Earth's crust
\ Mid ocean ridge: a mountain range with a central valley on an ocean floor at the boundary between two diverging tectonic plates, where new crust forms from rising magma
\ Paleomagnetic stripes: the pattern of magnetic stripes on the ocean floor due to reversals in the Earth's magnetic field and seafloor spreading.
- Polarity: having two opposite states of being on either end (such as the North and South pole, or the positive and negative end of a magnet
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Divergent boundary: where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other
\ Convection current: the movement of fluids by air based on density differences caused by differing temperature
- convergent boundary: when two or more tectonic plates come together
Subduction: the process where one lithospheric plate slides below another at a convergent plate boundary
\ Trenchia long, narrow and deep depression on the ocean floor with relatively steep sides; caused by convergent plate boundaries
19 Volcano: a mountain or hill with a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapour and gas are being forced from the Earth's crust
20 Tsunami: a seismic sea wave created by an underwater earthquake or volcanic event; not noticeable in the open ocean but building to great heights in shallow waters
21 Hydrothermal vents: an area where cold ocean water that has seeped into the Earth's crust is superheated by underlying magma and forced through vents in the ocean floor
22 Transform boundary: when two tectonic plates are moving in antiparallel direction, creating friction between the plates
23 Abyssal plain: a flat, sandy region of the ocean floor found between trenches and the continental rise