exact point where an earthquake begins
focus
the seven large land masses on the earth
continents
the innermost layer or center of the earth
core
large, gently sloping mountain
shield volcano
what it's called when two techtonic plates move apart
divergent boundary
a scientist who studies earthquakes
seismologist
thin sections that make up the ocean floors
oceanic crusts
hot liquid rock
magma
an opening in the crust where magma leaks out
vent
when one plate pushes below another plate
subducted
a large wave that is triggered by an underwater earthquake
tsunami
process of forming new oceanic crust
seafloor spreading
layer of minerals surrounding the core
mantle
small particles of shattered rock
ash
what it's called when two plates collide
convergent boundary
the scale used to measure an earthquake's strength
Richter scale
what it's called when the earth's crust slowly moves
continental drift
thin outermost layer of the earth
crust
a volcano that will never erupt again
extinct volcano
heating and cooling cycle of magma in the mantle
convection current
place directly above the focus on the earth's surface
epicenter
what is formed when two oceanic crust pieces move part
rift
outermost layer of the mantle
lithosphere
volcano with a narrow base and steep sides
cinder cone volcano
what it's called when two plates slide past each other
transform boundary