Lesson 1 Tectonic Plates Flashcards
(49 cards)
Solar Nebula Theory
proposes that the solar system was formed from a large cloud gases 10-20 billion years ago
gravitational forces pulled particles from the outer edges towards the center
the sun was formed at the center
the planet Earth together with the other planets was formed
Early Earth
4.5 billion years ago
hot and no water on its surface
cannot sustain life
Volcanic activity
caused the release of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen
collision of plate tectonics
creation and deformation of plate tectonics
bombardment from metereorites
Results of the Cooling Process
the Earth solidified into crust
Gases dissolve into the rain water
Distribution of water into Earth’s surfaces forming oceans, rivers, seas, and lakes
Oxidizing Atmosphere
most significant development of Earth
contains molecular oxygen but at first oxygen was poisonous
gradual accumulation led to complete oxygen dependence of oxygen for life
open the door for the evolution of Aerobics Organisms
Plate Tectonics
came from Greek word “tekton” which means carpenter or builder
also called lithospheric plate
massive irregular slabs of solid rocks
states that Earth’s outermost layer into dozen or more large and small plates
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum
first world Atlas
gave rise to theory of plate tectonics
Ortelius suggested that America wasb orginially connected to Europe and Africa
Continental Plate
- mainly composed of granite rock
lighter than oceanic plate
Oceanic Plate
mainly composed of basalt and gabbro rock
younger than cont. rock
Raisin Theory
Earth is like a grape that contracted into a raisin
Continental Drift Theory
proposed by Alfred Wegener
Earth’s crust are slowly deposited atop of a liquid core
accounts for diastrophic movement and for folding and faulting
Pangea
proposed by Alfred Wegener
all continents were once enormous, single landmass 1,100 million years ago
divided into Laurasia and Gonwanaland
Volcanoes
opening though the Earth’s surface through where rock fragments, lava, and other materials are emitted during an eruption
Magma Chamber
where magma, rocks, gases and water are mixed up
Vent
the pathway of magma and other materials
Crater
the opening of a volcano
Location of Volcanoes
Divergent Boundaries
Convergent Boundaries
Hotspots
Convergent Boundaries
plates move toward each other forming subduction zones. One plate melts under the other and magma moves upward from the volcanoes
Divergent Boundaries
plates move toward each other, as they move long cracks (rift) are formed and lava builds up to form volcanoes
Hotspots
magma originated in the mantle or the outer core will move upward , breaking the surface and to form volcanoes
Earthquakes
sudden movement of the earth’s lithosphere
vibration of the earth due to rapid release of energy
Focus\ Hypocenter
place within Earth where the earthquakes originated
Epicenter
point on the Earth’s crust directly above the focus
Parts of an Earthquake
Focus
Epicenter
Fault Line
Fault Plane
