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Earth Science - plate tectonics vocab
n/a
25
Science
9th Grade
03/08/2011

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Term
plate tectonis
Definition
the theory that the lithosphere is made of plates that move and interact with each other at their boundaries
Term
conitnental drift
Definition
a hypothesis that earth"s continents move on earth"s surface
Term
mid ocean ridge
Definition
a long chain of mountains with a central rift valley that is located along a divergent boundary on the ocean floor
Term

divergent boundary

 

Definition
a boundary between two lithosphere that are moving apart
Term
rift valley
Definition
a deep valley at a point where lithosperc plates are moving aparty such as at a mid ocean ridge
Term
rift
Definition
a crack or opening in the earths crust
Term
convergent boundary
Definition
a boundary between 2 plates
Term
subduction
Definition
a convergent boundary where an oceanic plate is plnging beneath another overriding plate
Term
deep sea trench
Definition
a long narrow steepsided trough that runs parallel to continental margins or to volcanic chains
Term
collision
Definition
when 2 continents come together and weld together to form one larger continent
Term
transform boundary
Definition
2 plates sliding by each other
Term
mantle convection
Definition
when heat from the inner and outer core is traveled through the mantle
Term
pangaea
Definition
all the continents are welded together
Term
craton
Definition
the ancient cave of a continent which is tectonically stable
Term
terrane
Definition
a large block of lithospheric plate that has moved
Term
lithosphere
Definition
the outer shell of the earth consisting of the crust and the upper most portion of the mantle
Term
asthenosphere
Definition
the partially melted portion of the mantle
Term
volcano
Definition
an opening in earth's crust through that molten rocks, gasses, and ash erupt
Term
hot spot
Definition
an area of volcanic activity
Term
fault
Definition
break in the lithosphere in which movement has occurred
Term
focus
Definition
the point at which the first movement occurs during an earthquake
Term
seismograph
Definition
intrument that detects and records earthquake waves
Term
anticline
Definition
an upfold in rock layers
Term
syncline
Definition
a downfold in rock layers
Term
epicenter
Definition
the point on earths surface directly above the focos of an earthquake
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