Plate Tectonics
Marine Science: Introduction to Plate Tectonics
Go to: Plate Tectonics: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/learning/player/lesson01.html
1: How many earthquakes occur every year around the world?
An average of 2000 occur every year all around the world.
2: What is the Tectonics Theory? Explain.
The Tectonics Theory states that the surface of the earth is not fixed and eternal but in constant ever changing motion.
3: Where do the Tectonic forces originate?
Tectonic forces originate deep within the planet. “core”
4: What are Earth’s 3 main layers?
Earth’s 3 main layers are the Central core, Mantle, and the crust.
5: Where is Tectonic activity concentrated?
In the upper 700 km of the planet.
6: What is the Lithosphere? Where is it located?
The lithosphere is located in the outer mantle and the crust.
7: What is the Asthenosphere? Why is it important to plate tectonics?
A solid but soft layer of the earth. So the plate tectonics float on top of the asthenosphere.
8: How fast do plates move (average?)
Averages the same rate as the growth of a finger nail.
9: What are the 3 types of plate boundaries?
Divergent, Convergent, Transform.
10: What happens at Divergent Boundaries? Where are these mostly located?
Divergent boundaries pull apart from each other. These are mostly located under the ocean.
11: What kind of rock is Oceanic Crust made of?
Basalt
12: What happens at Convergent Boundaries? What is often formed? Explain.
In convergent boundaries the tectonic plates move towards each other. Thus, forming a chain of volcanoes parallel to the valley.
13: What is Granite? Where is it found?
Granite is what makes up the continental crust.
14: What happens at Transform Boundaries? What is special about transform boundaries?
During transformation, the two tectonic plates slide against each other but going opposite directions. This boundary does not form any magma.
Go to: Plate Tectonics: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/learning/player/lesson01.html
1: How many earthquakes occur every year around the world?
An average of 2000 occur every year all around the world.
2: What is the Tectonics Theory? Explain.
The Tectonics Theory states that the surface of the earth is not fixed and eternal but in constant ever changing motion.
3: Where do the Tectonic forces originate?
Tectonic forces originate deep within the planet. “core”
4: What are Earth’s 3 main layers?
Earth’s 3 main layers are the Central core, Mantle, and the crust.
5: Where is Tectonic activity concentrated?
In the upper 700 km of the planet.
6: What is the Lithosphere? Where is it located?
The lithosphere is located in the outer mantle and the crust.
7: What is the Asthenosphere? Why is it important to plate tectonics?
A solid but soft layer of the earth. So the plate tectonics float on top of the asthenosphere.
8: How fast do plates move (average?)
Averages the same rate as the growth of a finger nail.
9: What are the 3 types of plate boundaries?
Divergent, Convergent, Transform.
10: What happens at Divergent Boundaries? Where are these mostly located?
Divergent boundaries pull apart from each other. These are mostly located under the ocean.
11: What kind of rock is Oceanic Crust made of?
Basalt
12: What happens at Convergent Boundaries? What is often formed? Explain.
In convergent boundaries the tectonic plates move towards each other. Thus, forming a chain of volcanoes parallel to the valley.
13: What is Granite? Where is it found?
Granite is what makes up the continental crust.
14: What happens at Transform Boundaries? What is special about transform boundaries?
During transformation, the two tectonic plates slide against each other but going opposite directions. This boundary does not form any magma.