Plate Tectonics Flashcards
Supercontinent
A landmass comprising more than one continental core
Alfred Wegener
In 1915 Alfred suggested that all the continents had once been joined together to form one supercontinent called Pangea
Pangea
A super continent that was split into Gondwanaland and Laurasia
Gondwana
Originally Gondwanaland was the southernmost of the two continents
Laurasia
The northernmost of the two super continents that formed part of Pangea
Lithosphere
The outer ridged layer of the Earth that includes the crust and the upper layer
Asthenosphere
A layer of soft soil, mobile rock
Convection currents
These are caused by the expansion of a liquid, soil or gas as it’s temperature rises. The expanded material, being less dense rises while colder denser material sinks
Converging Plates
Plates that are moving towards each other
Crust
The outermost solid shell of a planet
Diverging Plates
Plates that are moving away from each other
Epicentre
The point where an earthquake or underground explosion origionates
Fault Line
A separation or crack in the earths crust. A line where two or more tectonic plates butt against each other.
Lava
Molten rock expelled by a volcano upon eruption
Magma
A mixture of molten and semi molten rock
Inner Core
Hottest part in the centre of the earth
Mantle
The mantle is a highly dense layer between the crust and the outer core
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Tectonic plates that are diverging located at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, belonging to the largest mountain range in the world
Outer Core
The outer core of the earth is a liquid layer 2,266 km thick composing of Nicole and iron. It lies between the mantle and the inner core
Pyroclastic Flow
A fast moving current of super heated gas (1000C) and rock which reach speeds moving away from a volcano of up to 700km/h
Ring of Fire
An area located in the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. This is the direct result of the movement and collisions of tectonic plates
Seisomometer
An instrument that measures motions of the ground, including seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other seismic sources
Subduction Zone
The place where two lithospheric plates collide together one riding over the other
Fossils
The remains or impressions of living organisms from the past
