Tectonic Plates Flashcards
Name the four parts of the earth
Inner core
Outer core
Mantel
Crust
What is the inner core made of?
Solid iron + nickel
What is the outer core made of?
Molten iron+nickel
What is the mantel made of?
Semi-molten rock
Name the characteristics of oceanic crust
Denser
Younger
Basalt
Name the characteristics of continental crust
Less dense
Older
Granite
Name the characteristics of a constructive margin
Move apart
Magma rises to fill gaps (mid-ocean ridges)
Name the type of crust of constructive margins
Oceanic+Oceanic
We can also get Continental+continental
Name volcanoes/earthquakes in constructive boundaries
Creates shield volcanoes
Earthquakes (shallow and gentle)
Characteristics of destructive plate boundaries
Move together
Heavier/denser oceanic crust is pushed down the continental crust
Continental crust folds to create volcanoes
In which type of crust do you find collision plate boundaries
Oceanic+continental
Volcanoes/earthquakes in destructive plate boundaries
Explosive volcanoes
Violent earthquakes due to friction
Most hazardous
Oceanic trenches
Name the characteristics of collision boundaries
Continental plates move together
They are too light to be subducted so they are folded
Types of crust collision margins
Continental+continental
Volcanoes/earthquakes in collision plates boundaries
Volcanic activity is rare (no subduction)
Violent earthquakes
Name the characteristics of conservative margins
Tectonic plates move in different directions or at different speeds
Plates are locked together by friction which builds up pressure
Eg. San Andreas fault
Types of crust in conservative margins
All of them
Volcanoes/earthquakes in conservative margins
Frequent and violent earthquakes
No volcanoes
Where do we find earthquakes and volcanoes
At plate boundaries normally in a straight line e.g. Pacific ring of fire. There are also hotspots: where you find volcanic activity without being a plate boundary
How do earthquakes occur
Friction builds up pressure
Eventually, this pressure is released in seismic waves
How do volcanoes occur
Oceanic crust is subducted
The crust is melted
The oceanic crust is less dense than the mantel so it rises
Advantages of living near volcanoes
Beautiful landscape (+ scientists protection) Fertile soil (long-term) Tourism (geyser+hot springs) Minerals Geothermal energy
What type of volcano is Eyjafjallajokul and where is it?
In Iceland (mid Atlantic ridge) Composite volcano (more violent)
When did Eyjafjallajokull erupt? How?
April 2010
3,000 earthquakes
Short term effects of Eyjafjallajokull
Rescuers needed to wear masks Ash blocked the sun 10,00 flights were cancelled over 8days --> trade 80 Million pounds losses Evacuation Contaminated water systems/electricity
Long term effects in Eyjafjallajokull
Homes and roads were damaged
Crops were destroyed by the ash –> substantial farming
How did the government/people respond to Eyjafjallajokull’s eruption
Didn’t need aid because the government was well prepared (resilient)
Government evacuated neighbouring areas
Iceland invested in scientists to go and investigated
