Plate Tectonics Flashcards
Who proposed the Theory of Continental Drift?
Alfred Wegener
What was the name of the supercontinent that existed 200 million years ago?
Pangea
Three pieces of evidence Wegener used to support his theory
Fit like puzzle pieces, similar mountain ranges on different continents, fossils
Of same species
What does Theory of Plate Tectonics state?
Earth’s surface is divided into rigid plates of rock that move over the Earth’s mantle and shift positions relative to each other.
What does the word tectonic mean?
Tectonic refers to forces shaping the Earth’s surface and rock formations
Which tectonic plate is the largest?
The Pacific Plate is the largest
Which tectonic plate is the smallest?
Juan de Fuca Plate is the smallest
The 7 largest tectonic plates in alphabetical order
African, Antartic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, Pacific, South American
What is the lithosphere?
Rigid outer layer of Earth made of crust and upper mantle.
Tectonic plates are found here.
How does the oceanic crust compare to the continental crust?
The Oceanic crust is thinner and denser, while Continental crust is thicker and less dense.
What is the asthenosphere?
Hot flowing layer beneath the lithosphere that moves plates.
How do tectonic plates move?
Hot and flows like plastic, allowing plates to move
What is a plate boundary?
Location where 2
Tectonic plates meet
What is a divergent boundary and what is an example of one on land and one example of one in the ocean
Divergent boundary = plates move apart
Land- rift valleys like Least African rift
Ocean- mid ocean ridges
What happens with a transform boundary?
Plates slide past each other causing earthquakes
What happens at a convergent boundary?
Plates collide which can cause subduction, trenches, volcanoes, or mountains
