Plate tectonics for a test

What is plate tectonics?

Plate tectonics is the scientific theory explaining the movement of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates.

List the three types of plate boundaries.

1. Divergent 2. Convergent 3. Transform

True or false: Plates float on the mantle.

True, because the lithosphere is less dense than the underlying asthenosphere.

Difference between oceanic and continental plates?

Oceanic plates are denser and thinner, while continental plates are thicker and less dense.

What happens at divergent boundaries?

At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move apart, creating new crust as magma rises to the surface.

What is subduction?

Subduction occurs when one tectonic plate moves under another, often forming trenches and volcanic arcs.

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the semi-fluid layer beneath tectonic plates.

asthenosphere

Name a feature formed by convergent boundaries.

Mountains, trenches, and volcanoes are commonly formed at convergent boundaries.

True or false: Transform boundaries create new crust.

False, because transform boundaries slide past each other without creating or destroying crust.

What is a fault?

A fault is a fracture in Earth's crust where blocks of rock have moved relative to each other.

What causes earthquakes?

Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy along faults, resulting in seismic waves.

List two examples of tectonic plates.

1. Pacific Plate 2. North American Plate

What is a hotspot?

A hotspot is a location where magma from deep within the mantle rises to the surface, forming volcanoes.

Which type of boundary causes most earthquakes?

Transform boundaries often experience intense earthquakes due to the sliding motion of plates.

Fill in the blank: The theory of plate tectonics is a unifying concept in _______.

geology