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