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Unit 7
Investigating Plate Tectonics
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Continental crust | thicker part of Earth’s crust that forms the large land masses |
Convergent boundary | two plates coming together |
Divergent boundary | two plates moving apart |
Geologic event | a change to the structure of the Earth by tectonic activities |
Mid-ocean ridge | undersea mountain range formed where two parts of the Earth’s crust are moving apart |
Ocean basin | a large bowl shaped depression that holds ocean water; regions of crust below sea level |
Oceanic crust | thinner part of the Earth's crust that lies underneath the ocean basins |
Plate | distinct sections of the lithosphere which make up the outermost layer of the Earth |
Plate boundary | a region where two lithosphere plates meet |
Sea-floor spreading | formation of new oceanic crust due to the up welling of magma at mid-ocean ridges |
Subduction | process where one plate slides under another |
Tectonics | study of the movement of large masses of rock, known as plates, on the Earth's surface; includes folds, faults, and plate movement |
Theory | an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by groups of detached researchers; can be used to explain and predict natural phenomena |
Theory of plate tectonics | theory that describes plate movement and how it affects Earth’s geologic features |
Transform boundary | two plates sliding past each other in opposite directions |