| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Continental Drift | A hypothesis that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and then drifted to their present location |
| Pangaea | The super continent. The theory that the world was a huge continent |
| Sea Floor Spreading | The process by which new oceanic lithosphere forms as magma then rises to the surface and solidifies |
| Plate Tectonics | The theory that the Lithosphere is divided into Tectonic Plates which move on top of the Asthenosphere |
| Convergent Boundary | The boundary that is formed by the collision of two lithospheric plates |
| Divergent Boundary | The boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other |
| Transform Boundary | The boundary between tectonic plates that slide past one another |
| Convection Currents | The changing in density in circular motions that move the tectonic plates |
| Wegener | A scientist that discovered the theory of continental drift. |
| Hot Spot | A volcanically active area on the Earth that is far from tectonic plates boundaries |
| Volcano | Areas of the Earth where magma and volcanic gases pass |
| Mid-Ocean Ridges | A long, undersea mountain chain that forms along the floor of major oceans |
| Subduction | When the denser crust sinks and the less dense crust rises above |
| Vent | An opening at the surface of the Earth which magma flows |
Plate Tectonics