Plate Tectonics Definitions

Question 1

Continental Drift

Answer 1

theory that all continents have drifted slowly over time to their current positions

Question 2

Pangaea

Answer 2

the supercontinent that existed hundreds of millions of years ago

Question 3

Seafloor Spreading

Answer 3

theory that new sea floor is formed when magma is pushed up towards the surface at mid-ocean ridges

Question 4

Plate Tectonic

Answer 4

theory that earth’s crust is divided into large sections (plates)that are in constant motion due to the convection currents in the mantle

Question 5

Plate

Answer 5

made up of the crust and the upper mantle that shifts due to convection currents in the asthenosphere

Question 6

Lithosphere

Answer 6

the crust and the upper mantle

Question 7

Asthenosphere

Answer 7

plastic-like middle mantle where convection currents take place

Question 8

Convection Current

Answer 8

warm air/liquid rising and cold air/liquid sinking due to warm molecules being less dense and cold molecules being more dense

Question 9

Divergent Boundary

Answer 9

two oceanic plates moving apart

Question 10

Convergent Boundary

Answer 10

two plates moving together

Question 11

Subduction Zone

Answer 11

when oceanic and oceanic OR continental crust come together and the denser crust is pushed under the less dense crust and recycled back in to the mantle

Question 12

Transform Boundary

Answer 12

when two continental plates slide past one another