Plate Tectonic Theories
What is the Theory of Plate tectonics?
The Earth's outer shell, the Lithosphere, is divided into several large, rigid plates floating on a hot, mobile mantle.
What are the three largest tectonic plates?
Pacific plate, North American Plate, and Eurasian Plate
What landform is caused by two convergent continental plates?
Mountains
What is the smallest minor plate?
The Juan De Fuca Plate
Do plate tectonics move slowly or faster?
Slowly (as slow as a fingernail growing)
What is continental drift?
Continental drift is a theory that suggests that all continents were once joined together into a supercontinent, before drifting apart into the seven continents we live on today.
What is underneath the tectonic plates (Lithosphere)?
The asthenosphere
If two tectonic plates are moving towards each other, how does their movement determine what landforms are created?
When two tectonic plates move toward each other, the landforms that form depend mainly on what kind of crust each plate is made of and which one is denser.
What is the largest minor plate?
Somali Plate
Why are volcanoes often found in chains or lines?
Due to the movement of tectonic plates over magma sources.
What is the Seafloor Spreading hypothesis?
The theory where the ocean floor splits apart at mid-ocean ridges and moves outward, causing magma to rise through the gap and cool.
What are the seven major tectonic plates?
Pacific plate, North American plate, Eurasian plate, African plate, Antarctic plate, Indo-Australian plate, and the South American plate.
Why are volcanoes often found near tectonic plate boundaries?
Volcanos are often near tectonic plates boundaries because these zones allow magma to rise, either from pathways or by force, and cool on the surface.
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How do two continental plates create a mountain?
Intense pressure forces the crust to buckle, fold, and thicken.
Who came up with the Seafloor Spreading hypothesis?
Harry Hess
Why do the tectonic plates continue to move even though they are made of solid rock?
Tectonic plates continue to move because they float on the semi-molten, ductile layer of the upper mantle.
Why do divergent plate boundaries often form mid-ocean ridges instead of mountains on land?
Divergent plate boundaries occur where plate tectonics pull apart, allowing magma to surface and create Seafloor instead of mountains.
Do minor plates move slower, faster, or the same speed as major tectonic plates?
They can move faster or slower (both are acceptable answers)
Why is the "Ring Of Fire" an important example of Tectonic Plates?
The Ring of Fire has 75% of volcanoes and hosts 90% of the world's Earthquakes.
What is the Mantle Convection theory?
A theory that explains how the heat from Earth's interior causes convection currents in the asthenosphere, serving as a primary driving force for the plate Tectonics.
Why does the movement of tectonic plates cause stress to build up over time instead of releasing energy constantly?
The rough edges of tectonic plates get locked together at fault lines due to high friction, while the rest of the plate continues moving.
Why do some landforms take millions of years to form while others seem to appear suddenly?
While some things like tectonic plates take years to form things like mountains, earthquakes and volcanoes can cause new ones to appear in a few hours.
Where is the Nazca Plate located?
Southeastern Pacific Ocean
Why do some areas have more Earthquakes then others?