Physical Geography

• asthenosphere

  the part of the mantle, below the lithosphere ,where the rock is semi molten
• Benioff Zone 


  The area where friction is created between colliding tectonic plates, resulting in intermediate and deep earthquakes
• Collision Plate Boundary


  where 2 plates move towards each other causing a very slow collision which is likely to cause folding and faulting of crustal rocks and the uplift of continental crust to form fold mountains
• Conservative/Transform boundary


  2 plates slide past and friction builds
• Divergent/Constructive


  2 plates moving in opposite directions
• Convergent/Destructive


  2 plates move towards eachother and and denser oceanic crust is subducted
• Crustal Fracturing


  When energy released during an earthquake causes the earths crust to crack
• Focal depth


  depth at which an earthquake starts
• Hot Spot


  Points within middle of plate where plumes of hot magma rise and erupt
• Landslide


  mass movement of rock and soil down a steep slope
• Liquefaction


  when violent shaking causes surface rocks to lose strength and become more liquid than solid
• Destructive Tectonics


  Areas where crust is being destroyed, such as at subduction zones
• Constructive Tectonics


  Areas where new crust is being created, such as at mid-ocean ridges
• Conservative Tectonics


  Areas where plates are moving apart or colliding, but not creating or destroying crust
• Volcanic Eruptions


  Release of hot magma and gases from volcanic vents. Can be caused by plate movement, magma buildup, or a combination of both