All Flashcards
Define convergent boundary.
A plate boundary where two plates collide.
Define subduction.
The process where a denser plate slides beneath a less dense plate at a convergent boundary.
Define divergent boundary.
A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other.
Define seafloor spreading.
The process of new oceanic crust forming at divergent boundaries as magma rises and cools.
Define transform boundary.
A plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.
Define fault line.
A fracture in the Earth's crust where movement has occurred.
Define rift valley.
A valley formed by the separation of tectonic plates at a divergent boundary.
Define island arc.
A chain of volcanic islands formed at an oceanic-oceanic convergent boundary.
Define oceanic trench.
A deep depression in the ocean floor caused by subduction at a convergent boundary.
Define Ring of Fire.
A region around the Pacific Ocean characterized by high volcanic and seismic activity due to plate tectonics.
What is the effect of plate convergence?
Mountains, volcanoes, subduction zones, and oceanic trenches.
What is the effect of plate divergence?
Rift valleys, seafloor spreading, and volcanic activity.
What is the effect of plates sliding past each other?
Earthquakes.
What causes the Ring of Fire's activity?
Subduction zones around the Pacific Ocean cause frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
What is the effect of subduction on the mantle?
Introduces water, lowering the melting point and creating magma.
What is the effect of seafloor spreading on the ocean?
Creates new oceanic crust and widens the ocean basin.
What is the effect of friction at transform boundaries?
Builds up stress, which is released as earthquakes.
How does plate tectonics affect climate?
Volcanic eruptions release gases that can temporarily cool the planet, and mountain ranges influence weather patterns.
What is the effect of tectonic plate movement on the distribution of species?
Separation of landmasses leads to the evolution of unique species on different continents.
What is the effect of understanding plate tectonics on disaster preparedness?
Allows for better prediction and mitigation of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
What geological features are associated with oceanic-oceanic convergent boundaries?
Island arcs, oceanic trenches, and volcanoes.
What geological features are associated with oceanic-continental convergent boundaries?
Mountains and volcanoes.
What is the primary feature of a transform boundary?
Earthquakes.
How does plate tectonics contribute to the formation of volcanoes?
Subduction at convergent boundaries and magma rising at divergent boundaries.
How does plate tectonics contribute to the formation of earthquakes?
Friction and energy release at transform boundaries.
Why is the Ring of Fire significant?
It's a hotbed of volcanic and seismic activity due to the many plate boundaries.
What drives the movement of tectonic plates?
Convection currents in the Earth's mantle.
What is the role of density in subduction?
The denser plate subducts beneath the less dense plate.
How does seafloor spreading support the theory of plate tectonics?
It provides evidence of new crust formation at divergent boundaries, demonstrating plate movement.
What is the relationship between plate tectonics and mountain building?
Collision at convergent boundaries can cause folding and uplift, forming mountain ranges.