Tectonic Plates Flashcards
1
Q
Continental Crust
A
- Silicon and aluminum
- Light in weight
- 0 - 80km in depth
- Granite (igneous) is the most common type of rock
2
Q
Oceanic Crust
A
- Silica nad magnesium
- Heavier than continental
- basalt (igneous)
3
Q
Moho Discontinuity
A
- Transition zone between brittle crust and mantle
- Allows primary sesmic waves to pass through but no S-waves
- Begins around 40km
4
Q
Mantle
A
- Semi-molten
- Magnesium and iron
- Convection currents present
5
Q
Outer Core
A
- Found around 2900km below the surface
- Semi solid due to immense pressure
- Iron and nickel
6
Q
Inner Core
A
- Solid iron and nickel
- Solid from immense pressure
- Deep heat (source of heat of convection currents
7
Q
Atmosphere
A
Mixture of gases (mainly hydrogen and oxygen) found above the earth’s surface
8
Q
Biosphere
A
Thin layer below and on the earths surface where life forms exsist
9
Q
Ecosphere
A
Includes both biosphere and hydrosphere and extends into the lithosphere and atmosphere. All major processes that effect life are found here.
10
Q
Lithosphere
A
Earth’s outer layer. Includes the top crust of the mantle and all the crust. 100km thick
11
Q
Converging plate boundary (subduction zone)
A
- converging (oceanic and continental)
- creates rift valleys, fold mountains, island arc, volcanoes
12
Q
Diverging plate boundary
A
- two plates pulling apart
- deep sea trench or rift valley
- crust cracks, exposing magma from the mantle
13
Q
Converging Plate Boundary (collision zone)
A
- 99% of the time is continental plates, can be oceanic though
- two plates pushing together
- Neither subducts
- creates volcanoes, fold mountains
14
Q
Transform fault boundary
A
- 2 plates moving in opposite directions parallel to each other
- doesn’t create landforms
- can cause earthquakes
15
Q
Main Tectonic Plates
A
- Pacific plate
- Euroasia plate
- African plate
- Indian plate
- South American plate
- North American plate
- Antartica plate
