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Plate Tectonics
Term | Definition |
---|---|
geology | the study of the planet Earth |
constructive force | shape the surface by building up mountains and landmass |
destructive force | slowly wear away mountains and, eventually, every other feature on the surface |
continent | seven great landmasses |
crust | layer of rock that forms Earth's outer skin. Includes both dry land and the ocean floor. |
basalt | a dark, dense rock with a fine texture |
granite | rock that has larger crystals than basalt and is not as dense. Makes up most of the continental crust |
mantle | layer of hot rock, below the crust |
lithosphere | the crust and the upper-most part of the mantle together |
asthenosphere | soft layer below the lithosphere |
outer core | layer of molten metal that surrounds the inner core |
inner core | dense ball of solid metal |
plate | Earth's lithosphere is broken into separate sections |
scientific theory | well-tested concept that explains a wide range of observations |
plate tectonics | geological theory that states that pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in constant, slow motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle |
fault | breaks in Earth's crust where rocks have slipped past each other |
transform boundary | place where 2 plates slip past each other, moving in opposite directions |
divergent boundary | the place where 2 plates move apart, or diverge |
rift valley | a deep valley formed along the divergent boundary |
convergent boundary | the place where 2 plates come together, or converge |
Pangea | |
continental drift | |
fossil | |
mid-ocean ridge | |
sonar | |
sea-floor spreading | |
deep-ocean trench | |
subduction |