Plate Tectonics
This theory explains how Earth's plates move and interact over time.
Theory of Plate Tectonics
This landform forms when oceanic crust is pushed beneath continental crust.
Trench
plate boundaries
The point underground where an earthquake starts...
the focus
The fastest seismic waves that can travel through solids and liquids
P waves
The layer beneath the lithosphere where convection currents occur.
The asthenosphere
Mountains like the Himalayas form at this type of boundary...
This type of volcano forms from slow, flowing lava and has gentle slopes.
Sheild volcano
The point on Earth's surface directly above the focus...
the epicenter
These waves can only travel through solids
S waves
The process where new ocean crust forms at mid-ocean ridges is called...
seafloor spreading
This boundary is responsible for earthquakes like those along the San Andreas Fault...
transform boundary
The measure of how thick lava is...
viscosity
The tool used to record earthquake waves...
a seismograph
This type of fault formed by compression at convergent boundaries.
a reverse fault
The main force that drives plate tectonics movement inside Earth is called...
convection currents
A chain of volcanic islands formed by subduction between oceanic plates are called...
an island arc
When magma reaches Earths surface, it is called...
lava
The total energy released from an earthquake is its...
magnitude
This type of stress pulls rocks apart.
tension
The type of boundary where two plates move apart is called..
divergent
What landform is created when two continental plates pull apart?
A rift valley.
This process explains how the Hawaiian Islands formed...
a hot spot
This scale measures a scales intensity
The process where energy builds up and is suddenly released, causing earthquakes
elastic deformation