In what layer of Earth do convection currents happen?
The mantle
Two plates moving toward each other
Convergent Boundary
The cracks or breaks that create plate tectonics
Faults
Who is the scientist that discovered and theorized plate tectonics?
Alfred Wegener
Two plates moving away from each other
Divergent Boundary
Hot thick layer of molten or liquid rock
Mantle
What are some characteristics of Earth's crust?
Outmost layer, thinnest layer, made up of rock and loose material.
What are some characteristics of Earth's inner core?
made of iron and nickel, temperature is 13,000 degrees F, solid due to high pressure
What are some characteristics of Earth's outer core?
1400 miles thick, liquid layer, made of iron, creates Earth's magnetic field
What are the two forms of Earth's crust?
Either continental (landmasses) or oceanic (ocean floors)
What do transform boundaries form?
Earthquakes
Huge piece of crust that slowly moves on the upper, part of the mantle
Tectonic Plate
When a plate runs into another plate and slides beneath it
Subduction
What is a plate boundary?
Where two plates meet
The thin, solid, outermost layer of Earth
Crust
In the mantle, they rotate the uneven heating of the magma. This process moves the plates in the lithosphere and Earth’s crust.
Convection Currents
What are some characteristics of Earth's mantle?
thickest lalyer, consists of the lithosphere which is the topmost layer, & the asthenosphere which is plastic-like and allows the lithosphere and crust to move
What do convergent boundaries form?
Mountains and volcanoes
What does the theory of plate tectonics explain?
It explains how plates move and create most of the features on Earth’s surface.
What are the three main forms of evidence behind the theory of plate tectonics?
Fitting of the continents, Distribution of fossils, & Distribution of rocks and structures
The theory that the crust is divided into large pieces called tectonic plates that slowly move on top of the mantle
Theory of Plate Tectonics
The theory that continents were once connected but have drifted apart
Continental Drift
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