Plate Basics
This theory explains how large pieces of Earth's outer layer move on slow-flowing rock below.
What is the theory of plate tectonics?
The name of a force put on an object, created by plate movement.
What is stress?
The type of boundary where plates move toward each other.
What is a convergent boundary?
The types of landforms formed when two continental plates collide, like the Himalayas.
What are folded mountains?
All processes associated with the discharge of magma, hot fluids, or gases.
What is volcanism?
The outer, rigid layer of rock that makes up tectonic plates.
What is the lithosphere?
This type of stress squeezes material together and can cause folding.
What is compression?
The type of boundary where plates move away from each other.
What is a divergent boundary?
Deep ocean landforms formed during subduction, like the Marianas.
What are ocean trenches?
Areas where magma rises from deep within Earth to create volcanic islands far from plate boundaries.
What are hot spots?
The weak, flexible solid rock layer beneath the lithosphere where plates move.
What is the asthenosphere?
This stress pulls material apart and causes faulting to occur.
What is tension?
The type of boundary where plates slide past each other in opposite directions.
What is a transform boundary?
Landforms that form when continental plates spread apart, like in East Africa.
What are rift valleys?
Ground movements that occur when blocks of rock move suddenly and release energy.
What is an earthquake?
This type of crust is thicker and older compared to the other type of crust.
What is continental crust?
Any bending, tilting, and breaking of rock due to stress.
What is deformation?
When a dense oceanic plate moves beneath a less dense continental plate.
What is subduction?
Underwater landforms that are formed at divergent oceanic boundaries.
What are mid-ocean ridges?
The place within Earth along a fault where earthquake motion begins.
What is the focus?
The number of major tectonic plates that fit together like puzzle pieces.
What is fifteen (15)?
This type of stress occurs when two plates slide past each other, causing grinding.
What is shear stress?
Most deformation and landform creation occurs at these locations.
What are plate boundaries?
These zones are created when plates slide past each other, like the San Andreas.
What are fault zones/fault lines?
Series of extremely long waves caused by underwater earthquakes that can travel 800 km/h.
What is a tsunami?