Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GEOGRAPHY LC > PLATE BOUNDARIES > Flashcards

PLATE BOUNDARIES Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Geography flashcards World Geography flashcards
1
Q

What are the three main types of plate boundaries?

A

1) Divergent plate boundaries (divide)
2) Convergent plate boundaries (collide)
3) Transform plate boundaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What do plates do at divergent/constructive plate boundaries?

A

Divide/Separate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Why do plates divide at divergent plate boundaries?

A

Convection currents in the mantle beneath them are moving in opposite directions therefore dragging plates apart.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Example of 2 plates that are dividing:

A

North American and Eurasian plates.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

When plates are pulling apart, what happens to the crust exactly?

A

It tears and cracks/fissures open up in the crust.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

In the case of the North American and Eurasian plates where does the crust tear?

A

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean under the sea.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What happens when a tear in the earth’s crust occurs?

A

Magma from the mantle rises through the gap.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When magma rises through the fissures, what occurs after?

A

The magma cools quickly and hardens , creating basalt.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What’s the term used to describe plates separating under the sea and creating new sea floor?

A

Sea floor spreading.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Over time due to the process of sea floor spreading, what can occur?

A

In and around 130my an underwater mountain range can be created.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When the underwater mountain range occasionally rises above the sea what is it then know as?

A

Volcanic islands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

The underwater mountain range is known as a …

A

Mid ocean ridge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Concerning the Eurasian and North American plates, what is their mid-ocean ridge called?

A

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

For how long does the Mid-Atlantic Ridge run for?

A

15,000 kms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What’s an example of an island along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

A

Iceland.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How many active volcanoes does Iceland have?

A

130.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What do plates do at convergent plate boundaries?

A

Collide.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Why do plates collide at convergent plate boundaries?

A

As the convection currents in the mantle beneath them are moving towards each other, pulling the plates together.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the different types of convergent plate boundaries?

A

1) Oceanic-oceanic convergence (two oceanic plates collide)
2) Oceanic-continental convergence (oceanic and continental plates collide)
3) Continental-continental convergence (two continental plates collide).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is an example of two oceanic plates colliding?

A

The Pacific and Philippine plates.

21
Q

Oceanic-oceanic convergence leads to the formation of what?

A

Ocean trenches and volcanic island arcs.

22
Q

Example of a ocean trench:

A

The Marianas trench

23
Q

How deep is the Marianas trench?

A

11km

24
Q

What is an example of an oceanic and continental plate colliding?

A

The Nazca and South American plates.

25
Q

Oceanic-continental convergence leads to the formation of:

A

Fold mountains and volcanic activity.

26
Q

When the oceanic plate and continental plate collide what process occurs and describe it.

A

Subduction - the heavier plate (oceanic) bends and sinks beneath the lighter plate (continental)

27
Q

Where does subduction occur at?

A

At a subduction zone.

28
Q

The collision of the oceanic and continental plate cause the continental plate to…

A

Buckle upwards which forms a fold mountain range e.g. the Andes.

29
Q

When the oceanic plate subducts down into the mantle what happens?

A

The plate melts due to the high heat of the mantle and it’s destroyed.

30
Q

When the subducted plate is destroyed what occurs?

A

Extra magma is created in the mantle. Some of magma may spill out through the overlying continental plate resulting in volcanic activity.

31
Q

Are the Andes volcanically active?

A

Yes.

32
Q

Give an example of a volcanically active mountain in the Andes.

A

Cotopaxi.

33
Q

What is an example of two continental plates colliding?

A

Eurasian and Indo-Australian plates.

34
Q

What does continental-continental convergence lead to?

A

Formation of fold mountains e.g. the Himalayas.

35
Q

What’s the highest peak of the Himalayas and what’s the exact figure?

A

Mount Everest (8848m)

36
Q

Does any subduction occur during continental-continental convergence? Why?

A

Little to no subduction occurs as the plates are similar in weight and thickness.

37
Q

Since plates don’t move down in c-c convergence what does happen?

A

An uplift where two plates buckle upwards.

38
Q

Are the Himalayas volcanically active?

A

No.

39
Q

What do plates do at transform plate boundaries?

A

Slide.

40
Q

Which way do plates slide in at transform boundaries and what speed do they move in?

A

The can either move in the same or opposite direction but at different speeds.

41
Q

Example of two plates sliding in opposite direction:

A

North American and Caribbean plates.

42
Q

Example of two plates sliding in the same direction:

A

North American and Pacific plates.

43
Q

The line that the plates slide along is called a…

A

Transform fault line.

44
Q

Give an example of a transform fault line:

A

The San Andreas Fault.

45
Q

How long does the San Andreas Fault run for?

A

1,300kms

46
Q

In the San Andreas Fault case which plate moves faster?

A

The Pacific plate moves faster (5cm per year) than the North American plate (1cm per year).

47
Q

Is the movement of sliding plates smooth?

A

No, the plates grind against each other.

48
Q

When the plates grind against each other, what happens?

A

They get stuck and lock together for decades with pressure building up over time.

49
Q

When the sliding plates jolt forward again what happens?

A

The pressure is released and a violent earthquake occurs.

GEOGRAPHY LC (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions