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Unit 6A: Plate Tec

Plate Tectonics Vocab 8th Gr.

TermDefinition
Plate Tectonic Theory Theory that the lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that slowly move on top of the asthenosphere
lithosphere Cool, rigid, outermost layer of Earth that is divided into enormous pieces called tectonic plates; consists of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle
asthenosphere the upper part of the mantle below the lithosphere. It is made of partially molten rock.
convection currents a circular or cyclical motion that occurs because of heat causing density differences in the mantle; the engine for plate movement.
Continental Drift Theory that the continents were once all connected but have moved apart in the last 250 million years
fossils impressions of organisms left in rock layers that indicate the organisms once lived in the area
sea floor spreading evidence a parallel pattern of rock material found at identical locations on each side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge reveals rock of the same geologic age and magnetic polarity
divergent boundary the boundary between two tectonic plates moving away from each other; on land it creates rift valleys, on the sea floor it creates new ocean crust and mountainous ridges
subduction the process in which a denser plate is pushed downward beneath a less dense plate when plates converge; occurs at continental to oceanic boundaries and oceanic to oceanic boundaries
convergent boundary the boundary between two tectonic plates moving toward each other; results in volcanic activity when an ocean plate subducts, or moves below, a continental plate or another oceanic plate
transform boundary the boundary between two plates that slide sideways past one another; creates sudden shifts that result in earthquakes and the release of stored energy
convergent boundary, continental to continental continental plates of equal density converge; creates tall mountains
ocean trench deep and narrow depressions in the seafloor where the subducted plate moves down into the asthenosphere
atmosphere the layer of air all around Earth
hydrosphere the water all around Earth
biosphere the living things all around Earth
volcanic eruptions events in which molten rock spews out from the mantle to the surface of Earth as ash, lava, and gases
mountain building major geological even that occurs when continental plates of equal density converge and are pushed up
spreading ridges ridges formed from magma creating new crustal material at diverging oceanic plate boundaries
earthquakes major geological events that occur at ALL types of plate boundaries when the plates shift suddenly and release stored energy
oceanic the type of crustal material that is thinner and denser
continental the type of crustal material that is thicker and less dense
density the amount of matter (mass) packed into a given volume
tectonic plates huge pieces of Earth's lithosphere that move slowly on the asthenosphere. They meet at "boundaries."
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