Plate Tectonics Quiz Flashcards
(21 cards)
Continental Drift Theory
A theory that all continents were at one poit on, Pangea
Pangea
the super continent, all continents combines, as a single landmass
Alfred Wegener
Created the Continental Drift Theory
Lithosphere
The solid outer part of the earth includes the crust and upper solid part of the mantle
Asthenosphere
Semi-fluid part of the upper mantle
Convection Currents
Where warm magma rises and cool magna sinks
Plate Boundary
Where two continents meet
Subductions
Where oceanic and continental lithosphere goes into earths mantle at the convergent boundaries between plates
Seafloor spreading
The process by which new oceanic crust is created
Exogenic Forces
natural processes that take place on earths surface/outside to change the shape of the boundary
Endogenic Forces
natural processes that take place on inside the earth to change the shape of the boundary
Why didn’t people believe in the continental drift until the 1960’s?
No one could provide mechanism to support his ideas, there wasn’t enough evidence
How did the shape of the continent coastlines support the theory of continental drift?
they were similar in shape
How did fossils support the theory of continental drift?
showing the distribution of species across continents
How did mountain ranges support the theory of continental drift?
Mountains on different continents matched up well.
How did coal deposits support the theory of continental drift?
Because the distribution of coal deposits on different continents matches up in age and composition
How did glacial scars support the theory of continental drift?
it indicated that the continents moved over time.
Where is the continental crust found?
earths surface
how old is the continental crust?
4 billion
How thick is the continental crust?
16-43 miles
How dense is the continental crust?
