Running in the 1900s
Layers of the Earth
Theory of Plate Tectonics
Respect My Boundaries!
Potpourri
100
The original theory that suggested the different landmasses moved over millions of years.
What is continental drift theory?
100
Traditionally, the number of layers the Earth is divided into.
What is four?
100
According to plate tectonics, pieces of the Earth's surface called plates are doing this.
What is moving?
100
Where two plates collide.
What are convergent boundaries?
100
These can occur when tectonic plates grind past each other at plate boundaries and release built-up stress, sometimes to catastrophic effect.
What are earthquakes?
200
One piece of evidence that supported continental drift was when these were found on different continents, divided by oceans.
What are fossils?
200
This layer is the thinnest, like the skin of an apple.
What is the crust?
200
The process where new crust is created at mid-ocean ridges.
What is seafloor spreading?
200
Where two plates divide.
What are divergent boundaries?
200
These plumes of heat in the mantle are thought to be responsible for the Hawaiian volcanoes.
What are hot spots?
300
The grooves left behind by these frigid objects were another piece of evidence supporting continental drift theory.
What are glaciers?
300
The thickest layer of the Earth, lying just under the surface.
What is the mantle?
300
The process where one plate sinks under another.
What is subduction?
300
Where two plates slide past each other.
What are transform boundaries?
300
You don't want to fall into this burning chain of volcanoes and earthquakes stretching around the Pacific Plate.
What is the Ring of Fire?
400
The discovery of this underwater mountain range in the 1950s led to the acceptance of continental drift theory.
What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
400
The name given to the rigid upper layers that make up the different plates.
What is the lithosphere?
400
The difference in this property is the reason oceanic crust subducts when it meets continental crust.
What is density?
400
The geological formation that is found where oceanic and continental crust converge.
What are volcanoes?
400
The supercontinent thought to exist 250 million years ago; its name means "whole earth".
What is Pangaea?
500
This German scientist is credited as the person to first propose that the continents have moved over time.
Who is Alfred Wegener?
500
Also known as the middle mantle, this plastic, flexible layer is able to move very slowly, dragging the plates along with it.
What is the asthenosphere?
500
This movement or flow of heat in the mantle is responsible for plate movement.
What are convection currents?
500
The geological formation that is found where two plates of continental crust converge.
What are mountains?
500
Dr McEwan's favourite colour.
What is purple?
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