Earth Science_Plate Tectonics
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Created by:
lsxinh on July 21, 2012
Subjects:
GIS_lsx, Mapping_lsx, surveying_lsx, earth_science_lsx
Copied From:
Set copied from elishacohen
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10 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 plate tectonics | theory that explains why and how the continents move and is the study of the formation of the features in Earth's crust that result from this movement |
| lithosphere | solid, outer layer of the crust that consists of the crust and the upper mantle; it can also be called a plate |
| asthenosphere | solid plastic layer of the upper mantle that the plates move over |
| divergent boundary | boundary between two plates that move away from each other |
| convergent boundary | boundary betwen two plates that are colliding with one another |
| transform boundary | boundary between two plates that are sliding horizontally past each other |
| rift valley | a narrow valley that is formed as a result of plate separation |
| island arc | a chain of volcanic islands that are formed as a result of th collision of 2 oceanic plate boundaries |
| ridge push | the pushing force the cooling rock exerts on the rest of the plate as it slides down the slope of the MOR |
| slab pull | the downward force the sinking plate exerts on the rest of the plate as it is subduction |
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