geography tectonic plates topic Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are tectonic plates?
Large slabs of solid rock that make up the Earth’s lithosphere.
True or False: The Earth’s crust is divided into tectonic plates.
True
What is the lithosphere?
The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
Which tectonic plate is the largest?
The Pacific Plate.
Fill in the blank: The movement of tectonic plates is driven by _____ within the Earth.
heat
What are the three main types of plate boundaries?
Divergent, convergent, and conservative.
Multiple choice: What type of boundary occurs when two plates move apart? A) Convergent B) Divergent C) Conservative
B) Divergent
What geological features are commonly formed at convergent boundaries?
Mountains, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs.
True or False: Transform boundaries are characterized by plates sliding past each other horizontally.
True
What is subduction?
The process where one tectonic plate is forced under another plate.
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the layer of the Earth where tectonic plates float.
asthenosphere
What is the Ring of Fire?
A zone of high seismic and volcanic activity located around the edges of the Pacific Ocean.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a result of tectonic plate movement? A) Earthquakes B) Volcanic eruptions C) Weather patterns
C) Weather patterns
What is an earthquake?
The shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by sudden movement along a fault line.
True or False: The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement of continents.
True
What is a fault line?
A fracture in the Earth’s crust where blocks of land have moved past each other.
Fill in the blank: The _____ Plate is located beneath North America.
North American
What are hotspots?
Areas where volcanic activity occurs away from plate boundaries due to mantle plumes.
Multiple choice: Which plate is known for the San Andreas Fault? A) North American Plate B) Pacific Plate C) Both A and B
C) Both A and B
What is continental drift?
The gradual movement of continents across the Earth’s surface over geological time.
True or False: The Atlantic Ocean is growing due to divergent plate boundaries.
True
What is the most famous transform fault?
The San Andreas Fault.
Fill in the blank: The _____ Ocean is bordered by many tectonic plate boundaries.
Pacific
What is a mid-ocean ridge?
An underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics at divergent boundaries.
