GCSE Tectonics 1
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17 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Subduction | Where one plate is pushed underneath another plate |
| Destructive plate margin | Where one plate sinks under another, destroying the old crust |
| Constructive Plate margin | Where the two plates move apart making new crust |
| Conservative plate margin | Where one plate slides past the other sideways |
| Crust | the outer layer of the Earth |
| Mantle | the layer of the earth between the crust and the core |
| Convection current | the movement of magma in the mantle caused by heating of the material |
| Inner Core | a dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the center of Earth |
| Plate Margin | Where the two plates meet |
| Continental crust | granitic part of the Earth's crust that makes up the continents. Continental crust is also called sial because it consists largely of silica and aluminum and averages about 40km thick |
| Oceanic crust | thin, more dense than continental crust, subducting crust |
| Fold mountains | these are mountains formed as the plates move together and folds are formed as the the layers are squeezed horizontally. |
| Ocean Trench | deep valley in the ocean floor that forms along a subduction zone |
| Ocean ridge | created at a divergent boundary where the ocean plates spread apart. Magma rises out to form underwater mountains. |
| Composite volcano | tall, cone-shaped volcano in which layers of lava alternate with layers of ash |
| Shield Volcano | a wide gentle sloping volcano made of layers of lava and formed by quiet eruptions. |
| Pacific ring of fire | Zone of crustal instability, volcanism, and earthquakes in the Pacific region. |
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