Shared Flashcard Set

Details

physical geography
plate tectonics
25
Geography
Undergraduate 2
10/16/2008

Additional Geography Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
2 types of crust
Definition
continental and oceanic
Term
thickest layer of earth
Definition
mantle
Term
lowest layer of earth
Definition
iron nickel core (molten outer core; solid inner core)
Term
lithosphere
Definition
strong layer of earths crust
Term
asthenosphere
Definition
hot and weak layer of earths crust, mostly solid
Term
isostasy
Definition
relationship between crustal thickness and elevation
Term
seamounts
Definition
numerous submerged mountains, existing on the ocean floor
Term
abyssal plains
Definition
the smooth surface of the ocean floor which is moderately deep (3-5 km)
Term
continental shelves
Definition
continents that continue outward from the shoreline under shallow seawater for hundreds of kilometers, form submerged benches or...
Term
mid-ocean ridges
Definition
broad, symmetrical ridges that cross the ocean basins. they are 2-3 kilometers higher than the average depth of the seafloor.
Term
oceanic fracture zones
Definition
sharp steps in the seafloor that are at right angles to the mid-ocean ridges.
Term
plateaus
Definition
broad, high regions that reach high elevations such as on the Tibetan Plateau of Southern Asia.
Term
Deep oceanic trenches
Definition
make up the deepest parts of the ocean
Term
island arcs
Definition
crossing the seafloor are curving chains of islands known as this...
Term
oceanic plateus
Definition
within the oceans are several, broad elevated regions
Term
3 types of relative plate motions
Definition
divergent boundary, convergent boundary, transform boundary
Term
divergent boundary
Definition
move apart
Term
convergent boundary
Definition
move toward eachother
Term
transform boundary
Definition
move horizontally past eachother
Term
seafloor spreading
Definition
oceanic plates move apart at mid-ocean ridges
Term
rift
Definition
narrow trough
Term
subduction
Definition
one plate moves down in ocean-ocean convergent boundary
Term
pacific ring of fire
Definition
oceanic plates subducted on both sides
Term
mountain belts with volcanoes
Definition
subduction beneath continental plates in pacific ring of fire
Term
continental collision
Definition
wide zone of deformation
Supporting users have an ad free experience!