Earth’s Layers and Plate Movement Flashcards
1
Q
Q: How do convection currents affect tectonic plates?
A
A: They pull along the base of the lithosphere, moving the continents above.
2
Q
Q: What causes convection currents in the asthenosphere?
A
A: Tremendous heat at the Earth’s center compared to the cooler outer layers.
3
Q
Q: What happens at the edges of tectonic plates?
A
A: Plates sink into the mantle, pulling the rest of the plate along as they go.
4
Q
Q: What are the lithosphere and asthenosphere?
A
A: The lithosphere is the Earth’s rigid outer layer, while the asthenosphere is a viscous, flowing layer beneath it.
