Chapter 6 Study Guide
What is the theory of continental drift? Why continents move
What causes seismic waves? Earthquakes
Describe a transform boundary? A boundary at which two tectonic plates slide past one another horizontally
What is Global Positioning used for? To measure tectonic plate motion
What is a batholith? A large mass of igneous rock in Earth’s crust
Which is considered the main driving force of plate tectonics? Convection
What two plates make up the San Andreas Fault? North American plate and Pacific plate
What is Continental Drift Theory? The idea that all continents were part of one big landmass
Describe magnetic reversal The process by which Earth’s magnetic poles change places
Vocabulary Asthenosphere: the soft layer of the mantle on which tectonic plates move Fault: a break in a body of rock along which one block slides relative to another Seismic wave: vibrations that when measured can be used to calculate the thickness of Earth’s layers Inner core: the hot, solid layer Earth’s center Crust: the outside layer of Earth
Vocabulary Pangaea: single large continent that gave rise to today’s continents Tectonic plates: pieces of Earth’s lithosphere Outer core: Earth’s liquid layer Volcanic mountains: mountains formed from eruption of molten rock
What measurement is used for the movement of tectonic plates? Centimeters per year
What makes up most of Earth’s core? Iron
What type of boundary forms folded and volcanic mountains? Convergent
What is not formed as a result of tectonic plates converging? A mid-ocean ridge
What is not a possible driving force of plate tectonics? erosion