Plate Tectonics Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Crust

A

The outermost shell of a rocky planet

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

Mantle

A

Layer of molten rock between the crust and core

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

Core

A

Made up of mostly iron. Separated into the outer core (molten) and inner core (solid)

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

Tectonic Plate

A

The layer of rock that makes up to outer part of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle (lithospheric plates)

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

Continental Drift Theory

A

The theory that continents gradually drifted over time to their present positions.

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

Asthenosphere

A

A thin layer of Earth, about 150 thick, at the border between the mantle and the crust

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

Convection Current

A

The process in which the hotter parts of a gas or liquid rise to the top and the cooler, denser parts sind.

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

Convergent Boundary

A

When two tectonic plates come together

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

Mountains

A

Uplift of crustal plates that form elevated landmasses.

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

Volcanoes

A

A vent or fissure in Earth’s surface through which magma and gases are expelled

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

Divergent Boundary

A

When tectonic plates split apart

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

Transform Boundary

A

When tectonic plates slide past each other

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

Fault

A

Breaks in the crust, the movement causes seismic waves which produces earthquakes

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

Mid-Ocean Ridge

A

A long ridge of underwater volcanoes between two diverging oceanic plates

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

Subduction Zone

A

A place where one tectonic plate sinks under another and melts, also forms a trench

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

Rift Valley

A

A long narrow valley between two diverging continental plates