Moutain Formations
what happens when two plates push against each other?
They can form mountains or cause earthquakes
what natural disaster can happen when plates suddenly move?
An earthquake
what happens when two plates move apart?
A gap forms, and magma can rise to create new crust
what happens when an oceanic plate sinks under a continental plate?
A trench forms, and volcanoes may appear.
what happens when two plates slide past each other?
They can cause earthquakes
What is the name of the mountain range formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates?
The Himalayan Mountains
What type of plate boundary creates mid-ocean ridges?
A divergent boundary
What is the deepest trench in the ocean?
The Mariana trench
What is the "Ring of Fire"?
A belt of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean caused by subduction zones
what instrument measures earthquakes?
a seismometer
What happens to the Earths crust when two continental plates collide?
The crust is forced upwards, forming mountains
What happens to the oceanic crust at a mid-ocean ridge?
magma rises, cools, and forms new oceanic crust
What happens when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?
The denser oceanic plate subducts under the lighter continental plate, forming a trench
why do volcanic arcs form near trenches?
The subducting plate melts, forming magma that rises to create volcanoes
what happens to tectonic plates just before an earthquake?
stress builds up as the plates push against each other
why do earthquakes commonly occur in the Himalayan region?
The plates are still moving, causing stress and sudden releases of energy
why is the ocean floor younger near mid-ocean ridges than near continents?
new crust forms at the ridge and spreads outward over time, while older crust moves towards subduction zones
what happens to the oceanic plate after it is subducted?
It melts into magma in the mantle, which may later cause volcanic eruptions
why are some volcanic eruptions more explosive than others?
Magma at subduction zones has more gas and silica creating more pressure before eruption
Why do earthquakes happen at plate boundaries?
Stress builds up as plates push against, pull apart, or slide past each other. When the stress is too much, the plates suddenly move, causing an earthquake
Why do the Himalayas continue to rise today?
The Indian and Eurasian plates are still colliding, pushing the mountains higher
What process causes the seafloor to spread at mid-ocean ridges?
convection currents in the mantle pull plates apart, allowing magma to rise
Why does the oceanic plate sink under the continental plate at the subduction zone?
the oceanic plate is denser than the continental plate
what type of plate boundary is most common in the Ring of Fire?
Convergent boundaries (subduction zones)
what causes plates to move?
heat from the Earth's core creates convection currents in the mantle, which push and pull the plates.