Layers of the Earth
The layer nearest the surface (the part we live on)
crust
moving plates create seismic waves, which result in this event
earthquakes
He came up with the continental drift theory
Alfred Wegener
when 2 continental plates move away from each other, they create this
rift valley
The layer containing swirling magma below the earth's crust
Mantle
when 2 plates move towards each other
convergent boundary
The name of the supercontinent that existed about 300 million years ago
Pangaea
when an oceanic plate subducts under another plate and a deep valley is created under the water, it is called a
trench
The liquid part of the earth's core is called the
outer core
when 2 plates move away from each other in opposite directions
divergent boundary
initial piece of evidence that supported the continental drift theory
the continents look like they could have fit together like pieces of a puzzle
mountains are most commonly created when 2 plates...
converge (come together)
the innnermost layer of the earth
inner core
when 2 plates slide past each other
transform boundary
how the fossil record supports the continental drift theory
fossils of the same animals found on continents that are now far apart
Underwater mountain ranges (such as the mid-Atlantic ridge) are created when 2 plates...
diverge (move apart)
moving magma within the mantle is called
Surrounding the Pacific Ocean, there are a lot of active volcanoes. This group of volcanoes is know as...
the Ring of Fire
This is an example of where a piece of continental crust moved towards another, crashed into it, and created the Himalayan mountain range. This "continent" is known as...
India
a crack in the earth's crust created by plate movement is called a
fault