Plate Tectonics

Understand the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates.

Sample Cards

Plate Tectonics

The theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that move over the mantle.

Convergent Boundary

The type of plate boundary where two plates move toward each other.

Divergent Boundary

The type of plate boundary where two plates move apart from each other.

Transform Boundary

The type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

Pangaea

The large supercontinent that existed about 300 million years ago.

Structure of Earth’s Lithosphere and Mantle

The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Mountain Formation at Convergent Boundaries

Convergent boundaries can cause the formation of mountain ranges.

Seafloor Spreading at Divergent Boundaries

At divergent boundaries, new crust is created by magma pushing upward and outward from the mantle.

Plate Tectonics Flashcards

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Plate Tectonics

The theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that move over the mantle.

The theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that move over the mantle.

Plate Tectonics

Convergent Boundary

The type of plate boundary where two plates move toward each other.

The type of plate boundary where two plates move toward each other.

Convergent Boundary

Divergent Boundary

The type of plate boundary where two plates move apart from each other.

The type of plate boundary where two plates move apart from each other.

Divergent Boundary

Transform Boundary

The type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

The type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

Transform Boundary

Pangaea

The large supercontinent that existed about 300 million years ago.

The large supercontinent that existed about 300 million years ago.

Pangaea

Structure of Earth’s Lithosphere and Mantle

The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Structure of Earth’s Lithosphere and Mantle

Mountain Formation at Convergent Boundaries

Convergent boundaries can cause the formation of mountain ranges.

Convergent boundaries can cause the formation of mountain ranges.

Mountain Formation at Convergent Boundaries

Seafloor Spreading at Divergent Boundaries

At divergent boundaries, new crust is created by magma pushing upward and outward from the mantle.

At divergent boundaries, new crust is created by magma pushing upward and outward from the mantle.

Seafloor Spreading at Divergent Boundaries

Transform Boundaries and Earthquakes

Transform boundaries often result in earthquakes due to the sliding and locking of tectonic plates.

Transform boundaries often result in earthquakes due to the sliding and locking of tectonic plates.

Transform Boundaries and Earthquakes

Subduction at Convergent Boundaries

When two plates converge, the heavier one usually sinks beneath the other in a process known as subduction.

When two plates converge, the heavier one usually sinks beneath the other in a process known as subduction.

Subduction at Convergent Boundaries

Mid-Ocean Ridges

Elevated areas of the seafloor where new oceanic crust is formed.

Elevated areas of the seafloor where new oceanic crust is formed.

Mid-Ocean Ridges

Rift Valleys at Divergent Boundaries

The valleys formed due to the separation of tectonic plates at divergent boundaries.

The valleys formed due to the separation of tectonic plates at divergent boundaries.

Rift Valleys at Divergent Boundaries

Volcano Formation and Plate Tectonics

Volcanoes are often formed at convergent boundaries where one plate subducts beneath another.

Volcanoes are often formed at convergent boundaries where one plate subducts beneath another.

Volcano Formation and Plate Tectonics

Alfred Wegener's Theory of Continental Drift

The early 20th century hypothesis that the continents moved across the Earth's surface.

The early 20th century hypothesis that the continents moved across the Earth's surface.

Alfred Wegener's Theory of Continental Drift

Tectonic Plates and Earth's Geological Activity

The movements of tectonic plates influence the location and frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The movements of tectonic plates influence the location and frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Tectonic Plates and Earth's Geological Activity

Hot Spots and Volcanic Activity

Hot spots are volcanic regions thought to be fed by underlying mantle that is anomalously hot compared with the mantle elsewhere.

Hot spots are volcanic regions thought to be fed by underlying mantle that is anomalously hot compared with the mantle elsewhere.

Hot Spots and Volcanic Activity

Movements of Plates Over Geological Time

Tectonic plates have been moving and shaping the Earth's surface for billions of years.

Tectonic plates have been moving and shaping the Earth's surface for billions of years.

Movements of Plates Over Geological Time

Island Arcs at Convergent Boundaries

Island arcs are curving series of volcanic islands that are created through the collision of tectonic plates at convergent boundaries.

Island arcs are curving series of volcanic islands that are created through the collision of tectonic plates at convergent boundaries.

Island Arcs at Convergent Boundaries

Types of Tectonic Plate Boundaries

The three types are convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.

The three types are convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.

Types of Tectonic Plate Boundaries

Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes

Most earthquakes occur at the boundaries of tectonic plates, where they come into contact.

Most earthquakes occur at the boundaries of tectonic plates, where they come into contact.

Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes

Plate Tectonics in Shaping Earth’s Surface

Movement of tectonic plates has significantly influenced the geological features of Earth.

Movement of tectonic plates has significantly influenced the geological features of Earth.

Plate Tectonics in Shaping Earth’s Surface

Ocean Trenches at Subduction Zones

Deep underwater canyons created when an oceanic plate is subducted beneath another tectonic plate.

Deep underwater canyons created when an oceanic plate is subducted beneath another tectonic plate.

Ocean Trenches at Subduction Zones

Plate Motion and Mantle Convection

The heat from the mantle causes convection currents, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

The heat from the mantle causes convection currents, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

Plate Motion and Mantle Convection

Evidence Supporting Plate Tectonics

There are several key pieces of evidence that support the theory of plate tectonics, such as fossils, geological features, and seafloor spreading.

There are several key pieces of evidence that support the theory of plate tectonics, such as fossils, geological features, and seafloor spreading.

Evidence Supporting Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics and Earth's Climate Over Time

The movements of tectonic plates can indirectly influence climate patterns by shifting ocean and atmospheric currents.

The movements of tectonic plates can indirectly influence climate patterns by shifting ocean and atmospheric currents.

Plate Tectonics and Earth's Climate Over Time

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