plate tectonics Flashcards
(16 cards)
crust
the outer most layer of a rocky planet.
mantle
layer of molten rock between the crust and core
core
made of mostly iron. separated into the outer core molten and inter core
techtonic plate
The layer of rock that makes up the outer part of the earth
continentel drift theory
The theory that continents drifted over time to their present positions.
asthenosphere
a thin layer of earth about 150 miles thick at the border between the mantle and the crust.
convection curents
the process in which the hotter parts of gas or liquid rise to the top of the earth
convergent boundry
when two tectonic plates come together
mountains
uplift of crustal plates that form elevated land masses
valcanoes
a vent or fissure in earths surface through wich magma and gasses and are expelld
divergent boundary
when tectonic plates split apart
transform boundary
when tectonic plates slide past each other
fault
break in the crust. The movement causes seismic waves which produces earthquake
mid ocean ridge
a long ridge of under water volcanoes between two diverging oceanic plates.
subduction zone
a place where one tectonic plate sinks under another and melts. also forms a trench
rift valley
a long narrow valley between two diverging continental plates
