Science Test 12/05/2023 Flashcards
Who developed the theory of Plate Continental drift?
Alfred Wegner
When was the idea of Continental drift first proposed?
1912
What pieces of evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his theory? ( Hint 3 answers )
- Fit of the Continents
- Past Climate Belts and Distribution of Fossils
- Matching Rock Types
What happens to continents/ plates over millions of years as we know them?
They separated over millions of from their original state
What major criticism existed for Wegener’s theory?
He couldn’t explain how it actually moved
Why is the theory of Plate Tectonics like all theories?
When new evidence is revealed, theories can change with he available evidence.
When plates collide what is the most common outcome?
Usually, one of the converging plates will move beneath the other, a process known as subduction.
How does a Volcano form, and what kind of plates are involved?
When two plates (either oceanic plate descends below another oceanic plate or an oceanic plate descends below a continental plate) converge, subducting the less dense plate, magma then rise creating Volcanos
How deep is continental crust (minimum to maximum)?
Continental (land) plates 30-50 km thick
How deep is oceanic crust?
Oceanic plates 5-10 km thick, found mainly under the oceans.
How does an Earthquake occur?
When Plates, slide, slip, sub duct, colliding or spreading this is because they get stuck and pressure builds up
What does convergent boundaries look like?
When plates move together creating mountain ranges, volcanos etc
What do divergent boundaries look like?
When plates move apart, creating rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges
What do transform boundaries look like?
When the move parallel causing earthquakes
Why do some countries experience little or no Plate tectonic activity?
Some countries are on borders of tectonic plates, others like Australia, are in the middle.
