Plate Tectonics Flashcards
To Learn
Explain Convection Currents :)
Heat Source: The Earth’s core generates significant heat through radioactive decay and residual heat from the planet’s formation.
Convection Currents: This heat causes the mantle to behave like a very viscous fluid over geological timescales. Hot, less dense material rises from deep within the mantle toward the surface, while cooler, denser material sinks back down.
Cycle: These rising and sinking motions create convection currents within the mantle, much like boiling water circulates in a pot.
What do you understand by Plate Tectonics?
It is the study of the movement of the tectonic plates over millions of years. Continental Drift Theory and Seafloor spreading are 2 major theories supporting plate tectonics.
State the 2 MAIN THEORIES supporting plate tectonics
- Continental Drift Theory
- Seafloor Spreading
Definition of Tectonic Plate
Huge slap of lithosphere floating on the mantle
What is a Fault line?
A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock in the Earth’s crust along which movement has occurred.
What can Convergent Plate Boundary result in?
Subduction: Ocean Trench and Volcano
Upliftment: Fold Mountains and Earthquake
What does a Constructive Plate Boundary result in?
Formation of new crust, with midocean ridges and volcanoes. Site of seafloor spreading and rift valleys.
What does a Transform Plate boundary result in?
Displacement, Earthquake
Give an example for each Plate Boundary
- Transform- San Andreas & California
- Convergent- Nazca & South American
- Divergent- Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Divergent Boundaries (Ocean)
- Magma from deep within Earth’s mantle rises towards the surface and pushes apart two or more plates
- Mountains and Volcanoes rise along the seam
- The process renews the ocean floor and widens giant basins.
