Plate Techtonics

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

A well tested explanation of a broad aspect of the natural world

Question 2

SeaFloor Spreading

Answer 2

When new oceanic crust is made by magma rising to the surface in certain places under the sea floor

Question 3

Pangaea

Answer 3

A supercontinent that joined together after millions of years of continental drift when the continents eventually hit each other

Question 4

Continental Drift

Answer 4

A theory that states that the continents move slowly over millions of years

Question 5

Facts That Support Continental Drift

Answer 5

• Continents fit together
• Fossil and rock formations start on one continent and finish on the other
• Glacier marks on continents are continuous

Question 6

Crust Elements

Answer 6

Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum

Question 7

Subduction Zone

Answer 7

A section of the mesosphere where cool crust melts and releases carbon dioxide

Question 8

Mantle Elements

Answer 8

Iron, Magnesium, Calcium

Question 9

Core Elements

Answer 9

Mostly Iron, Some Nickel

Question 10

SeaFloor Spreading Process

Answer 10

1. Heat increase causing the asthenosphere to crack
2. The less dense liquid mesosphere rises
   - —-Less dense things rise
3. Magma pushes apart and separates the brittle plates
4. Magma cools and hardens, but it is weaker than the original rock
5. More magma will eventually separate the weak spot, causing more spreading

Question 11

Tectonic Plates

Answer 11

Pieces of the lithosphere that floats or moves on top of the asthenosphere