Plate tectonics Flashcards
Crust
The outermost shell of a rocky planet
Mantle
Layer molten rock between the crust and the core
Core
Made up of mostly Iron. Separated into the outer core (molten) and the inner core (solid)
Tectonic plate
The layer of the rock makes up the outer part of the earth, including the crust and the upper mantle(lithospheric plate).
Continental Drift theory
The theory is that contintents gradually drifted over time to their present position.
Asthenosphere
A thin layer of earth, about 150 miles at the border between the mantle and the crust.
Convection current
The process in which the hotter parts of liquid rise to the top and the cooler, denser parts sink.
Convergent Boundary
When two tectonic plates come together.
Mountains
Uplift of crustal plates that elevated landmasses.
Volcanoes
a vent or fissure in earth’s surface though witch magma and gases are expelled.
divergent broungardy
When the tectonic plates split apart.
transform Boundary
When the tectonics plates slide past each other
Fault
Break in the cust. the movement causes seismic waves which produce earthquakes.
Mid-OCean ridge
A long ridge of underwater volcanoes beween two diverging oceanic plates
Subduction Zone
A place where one tectonic plate sinks under another and melts. Also forms a trench
