2.1 Tectonic Processes

Question 1

Estuary

Answer 1

A partially enclosed, tidal, coastal body of water where fresh water from a river meets the saltwater of the ocean

Question 2

Littoral Zone

Answer 2

The benthic, or bottom, zone between the highest and lowest spring tide water marks on a shoreline; also referred to as the intertidal zone

Question 3

Earthquakes

Answer 3

A sudden release of energy inside the Earth that creates seismic waves; usually caused by movement of tectonic plates or volcanic activity

Question 4

Crust

Answer 4

The outermost layer of rock on Earth

Question 5

Mantle

Answer 5

A region of molten rock within the interior of the Earth, between the core and the crust

Question 6

Core

Answer 6

The dense, central region within Earth

Question 7

Seismic

Answer 7

Having to do with vibrations of the earth’s crust; earthquakes

Question 8

Oceanic Crust

Answer 8

The dense, basaltic layer of crust that makes up the bottom of the ocean basins

Question 9

Continental Crust

Answer 9

The thicker, less dense crust that makes up the foundation of the continents

Question 10

Continental Drift

Answer 10

A theory supporting the possibility that continents are able to move over Earth’s surface

Question 11

Plate Tectonics

Answer 11

The process where large sections (plates) of the Earth’s crust are in constant movement over the fluid mantle, causing earthquakes and volcanoes at the borders between the plates

Question 12

Lithosphere

Answer 12

The outermost layer of the Earth’s crust

Question 13

Mid-ocean Ridge

Answer 13

A mountain range with a central valley on an ocean floor at the boundary between two diverging tectonic plates, where new crust forms from upwelling magma

Question 14

Paleomagnetic Stripes

Answer 14

The pattern of magnetic stripes on the ocean floor due to reversals in the Earth’s magnetic field and seafloor spreading

Question 15

Polarity

Answer 15

Having two opposite states of being on either end (such as North and South pole, or the positive and negative end of a magnet)

Question 16

Divergent Boundary

Answer 16

Where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other

Question 17

Convection Current

Answer 17

The movement of fluids or air based on density differences caused by differing temperature

Question 18

Convergent Boundary

Answer 18

When two or more tectonic plates come together

Question 19

Subduction

Answer 19

The process where one lithospheric plate slides below another at a convergent plate boundary

Question 20

Trench

Answer 20

A long, narrow and deep depression on the ocean floor with relatively steep sides; caused by convergent plate boundaries

Question 21

Volcano

Answer 21

A mountain or hill with a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapour and gas are being forced from the Earth’s crust

Question 22

Tsunami

Answer 22

A seismic sea wave created by an underwater earthquake or volcanic event; not noticeable in the open ocean but building to greater heights in shallow water

Question 23

Hydrothermal Vent

Answer 23

An area where cold ocean water that has seeped into the Earth’s crust is superheated by underlying magma and forced through vents in the ocean floor

Question 24

Transform Boundary

Answer 24

When two plates are moving in an antiparallel directions, creating friction between them

Question 25

Abyssal Plain

Answer 25

A flat, sandy region of the ocean floor found between trenches and the continental rise