Tectonic plates and plate boundaries Flashcards

1
Q

How is the world divided into tectonic plates?

A
  • Outer shell of the Earth (the crust) is broken up into pieces called tectonic plates that fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
  • Convection currents of red hot magma beneath the plates cause the plates to move.
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2
Q

What are the four different processes occurring at plate boundaries

A
  • Convergent Plate boundaries (land on land and land on ocean)
  • Divergent Plate Boundaries (Mid-Ocean)
  • Divergent Plate Boundaries (Land)
  • Transform Plate Boundaries
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3
Q

What are convergent plate boundaries?

A

Happens when two plates collide - forming fold mountains, volcanoes, and causing earthquakes, etc.

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4
Q

What are land on land converging plate boundaries?

A

In land on land, plates are similar density so they resist subduction and usually both buckle. This forms mountains in immense upward pressure.

Example = himilayas

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5
Q

What are land on ocean converging plate boundaries?

A

In land on sea, a large difference in density causes the subduction of sea plate, whilst the land plate buckles and forms mountains.

Example = Western Andes

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6
Q

What are divergent plate boundaries (mid ocean)?

A

Occurs when ocean plates move apart, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and new oceanic ridge and crust to form.

Example = Mid Atlantic Ridge

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7
Q

What are divergent plate boundaries (land)?

A

Occurs when continental plates move apart, causing volcanoes, and a new oceanic ridge and crust to form.

Example = East Africa Rift

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8
Q

What are transform plate boundaries?

A

Occurs when tectonic plates slide past one another in a horizontal direction. Cause earthquakes due to immense, building pressure in fault line, which release in seismic waves from time to time.

Example = San Andreas Fault.

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