Download 1. Mantle convection causes tectonic plate motion and is

1. Mantle convection causes tectonic plate motion and is responsible for the slow
movement of continents. What process causes one tectonic plate to sink beneath
another at a subduction zone? Slab pull occurs at subduction zones, where denser
plate sinks beneath the less dense plate. The leading edge of the sinking plate
continues to pull the rest of the plate down with it.
2. Plate tectonic forces are responsible for the slow movement of continents over geologic
time. What process occurs in the mantle below a convergent plate boundary? Slab pull
because at many convergent boundaries oceanic plates are forced down into the
mantle.
3. Explain how two tectonic plates can create mountains. When two tectonic plates
collide, the collision could force continental crust upward thus creating a mountain.
4. How is oceanic and continental crust different? Give me two ways (and do not include
one is on the surface and one is at the bottom of the ocean). 1. Oceanic crust is made
up of denser materials, and is also much thinner than continental crust. 2. Oceanic
crust has a much higher proportion of iron and magnesium than continental crust
which makes it denser and heavier.
5. List the processes that occur at divergent plate boundaries. 1. Mid–ocean ridges form at
divergent boundaries on the ocean floor where two oceanic plates are pulling away
from each other. 2. As two plates pull away from each other at a divergent boundary,
mantle rises upward to form new crust between the diverging plates.
6. What is a convection current? A convection current is the transfer of energy by the
movement of matter. A convection current is established as molten rock rises, cools,
and then sinks.
7. What are the mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the movement of Earth’s
tectonic plates? Mantle convection, ridge push, and slab pull are the three
mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the movement of the tectonic plates.
8. What is the definition of a tectonic plate boundary? A tectonic plate boundary is where
tectonic plates come together. There are three types – convergent, divergent and
transform.
9. The movement of the tectonic plates is very slow and gradual. What units would
scientists use to measure the movement of tectonic plates? Scientists would measure
the movement of tectonic plates in centimeters/year.
10.What is the theory of continental drift? Continental drift is the hypothesis that all the
continents were once part of one supercontinent that broke apart and slowly drifted
into their present locations.
11. What happens at a divergent tectonic plate boundary? Two tectonic plates pull away
from one another, forming a rift valley or mid-ocean ridge.
12. Explain how a convergent boundary is different from a transform boundary. Then,
name one thing that commonly occurs along both convergent and transform
boundaries. At a convergent boundary, the tectonic plates move toward each other.
Mountain building, volcanism, subduction, and large earthquakes occur at these
boundaries. At a transform boundary, the two plates slide past each other. Mountain
building and volcanism are uncommon along the boundaries. Earthquakes can occur
along these boundaries. The one thing that commonly occurs along both convergent
and transform boundaries are earthquakes.