Plate Tectonics

Question 0

Fold mountains

Answer 0

Fold mountains form the highest of the worlds mountain ranges. They are long, narrow relatively narrow belts if mountains, with parallel ridges and valleys.

Question 1

Earth in motion

Answer 1

Earth is the planet we live on. It’s surface constantly changes- sometimes leading to spectacular earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Question 2

What is a plate?

Answer 2

The Earth’s surface is made up of a series of sections- known as plates.

Question 3

Why do plates move?

Answer 3

Deep within the earth, heat is being produced by radioactivity. This heat is not evenly distributed, so there are hotter areas and colder areas. At the hotter areas, the plastic rocks in the earths mantle become lighter and rise- causing convection currents, these convection currents drag at the rigid plates sitting above them- causing them to move.

Question 4

Volcanoes

Answer 4

A volcano is a hole or crack in the ground through which gases,lava and pyroclastic material are erupted. The vent is connected to a magma chamber beneath the ground.

Question 5

What causes earthquakes?

Answer 5

Earthquakes are caused by plate movements- either towards each other, away from each other or sliding past each other.