Plate Tectonics Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

The Earth's crust is split into tectonic plates that float on the mantle and move slowly, causing earthquakes and volcanic activity at their margins.

How do convection currents move tectonic plates?

Heat from radioactive decay in the core makes mantle material rise and fall in convection currents, which drag the plates along.

What is slab pull?

The denser plate sinks into the mantle under gravity, pulling the rest of the plate along behind it.

What is ridge push?

Magma rises as plates move apart and cools to form new plate material; as it cools it becomes denser and slides down away from the ridge, pushing the plates apart.

How does continental crust differ from oceanic crust?

Continental crust is thicker and less dense; oceanic crust is thinner and denser, which is why oceanic crust is the one that is subducted.