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2.1 Tectonic Processes

Terms in this set (26)

crust
outermost layer, made of solid rock
oceanic
thinner crust, made of basaltic rock (iron, magnesium)
continental
thicker/less dense, made of granite
mantle
hot, semi-solid rock, capable of slow movements, has the asthenosphere- convection currents occur here
core
center of Earth, hot, dense great pressure (increases with depth) is made of iron and nickel
outercore
liquid (high temperature)
inner core
solid (high temperature/pressure)
theory of continental drift
theory created by Alfred Wegener to describe the movement of continents away from the supercontinent Pangaea over time.
1. Similar fossils found in rocks on different continents
2. Similar rock structures found on different continents
3. Continents fit together like puzzles
4. Climate evidence in glaciers moving in the same directions
Evidence of Continental drift
Theory of plate tectonics
State that Earth's lithosphere is broken into huge, moving slabs of rock driven by motions in the mantle
Distribution of fossils, similar rock structures, continents fit like a jig-saw puzzle, and magnetic polarity reversal.
Evidence of Plate Tectonic Theory
plate tectonics
lithosphere is broken into sections which move on mantle
Magnetic Polarity Reversals
striped pattern began at the Mid Ocean Ridges where crust is the weakest and magna pushed through.
convergent boundaries
when two or more tectonic plates come together. Form subduction zones. Also called destructive zones
covergent boundary
common features- trenches, volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis
divergent boundaries
when two or more tectonic plates push away from each other (allow molten magma from mantle push through). Form mid-ocean ridges and rifts
Mid-Ocean-Ridges
volcanoes and hydrothermal vents
transform boundaries
when two plates slide laterally next to each other (creates friction). Crust isn't created or destroyed but their is great seismic activity
transform boundary
most common feature- abyssal plains. causes earthquakes and tsunamis (pressure)
volcanoes
form when openings in Earth's crust allow gases and molten rocks to escape mantle. can cause earthquakes. found in convergent and divergent boundaries.
ring of fire
chain of volcanoes formed at convergent boundaries in Pacific Ocean
Earthquakes
occur after sudden release of energy from movement in Earth's crust.
tsunamis
convergent and transform plates get stuck and energy builds until pressure is too great and the plates move. This releases seismic waves that move through lithosphere and make everything shake. the sudden release of energy causes _________
Tidal waves don't cause tides
When a earthquake occurs stored energy is released to the sea bed and moves all the water above the sea bed. The water holds onto all this energy and moves quickly through the deep water. As it gets into shallower water it slows but grows in height exponentially.
hydrothermal vents
form at locations where seawater meets magma
1. cold water sinks into cracks in thin crust surrounding divergent boundaries
2. water flows into magma chambers which causes the water to heat and the minerals dissolve, which causes water to turn black
3. Superheated water coming from hydrothermal vents is filled with dissolved nutrients and under great pressure which forms hydrothermal vent plumes
4. When this super heated water meets the ocean floor it cools it
5. the minerals precipitate out of the solution (solidify and pile on each other)
6. This causes a vent to form
abyssal plains
flat, sandy region of ocean floor. found at transform boundaries or in between boundaries. form as a result of sea-floor spreading
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