Earthquakes & Volcanoes

    Cards (37)

    • How many large plates is the Earth's crust divided into?

      Seven large plates
    • How many smaller plates are there in the Earth's crust?
      Twelve smaller plates
    • What causes the movement of tectonic plates?
      Heat convection currents in the mantle
    • What happens to magma as it rises to the crust?
      It cools and sinks to be reheated
    • What is the effect of friction caused by rising currents on tectonic plates?
      Plates are pushed forward or dragged back
    • What are the two types of crustal plates?
      Oceanic plates and continental plates
    • How do oceanic plates differ from continental plates?
      Oceanic plates are denser but thinner
    • What is a plate boundary or plate margin?
      Where two or more plates meet
    • What are the three main types of plate boundaries?
      • Constructive margins (divergent boundaries)
      • Destructive margins (convergent boundaries)
      • Conservative margins
    • What occurs at constructive margins?
      Plates pull apart, allowing magma to erupt
    • What geological activity occurs at constructive margins?
      Earthquake activity and volcanic eruptions
    • What typically happens at destructive margins?
      Oceanic and continental plates collide
    • What is the process called when the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the continental plate?
      Subduction
    • What geological phenomena can result from subduction?
      Volcanic activity and earthquakes
    • What characterizes conservative margins?
      Plates move in opposite directions or at different speeds
    • What happens when the edges of plates at conservative margins stick together?
      Friction and stress build up until release
    • Is there volcanic activity at conservative margins?
      No, there is no volcanic activity
    • What are the main components of the Earth?
      • Inner core: solid iron and nickel, ~5500°C
      • Outer core: liquid iron and nickel
      • Mantle: semi-molten rock (magma)
      • Crust: thin layer of solid rock
    • What is the temperature of the Earth's inner core?
      Around 5500°C
    • What is the state of the outer core?
      Liquid iron and nickel
    • What is the composition of the mantle?
      Semi-molten rock (magma)
    • What is the crust made of?
      Thin layer of solid rock
    • What is the name of the tectonic plate located near Iceland?
      Fuca Plate
    • Which tectonic plate is associated with the Pacific Ocean?
      Pacific Plate
    • What tectonic plate is located to the south of the South American Plate?
      Nazca Plate
    • Which tectonic plate is located to the east of the African Plate?
      Eurasian Plate
    • What significant volcanic event occurred in Iceland in 2010?
      Eyjafjallajökull eruption
    • Which volcanic eruption occurred in Indonesia in 2010?
      Merapi eruption
    • What major earthquake occurred in Japan in 2011?
      Japan earthquake
    • What earthquake occurred in Haiti in 2010?
      Haiti earthquake
    • What happens when continental plates of the same density collide?
      They buckle up and create fold mountains
    • Is there volcanic activity at collision zones of continental plates?
      No, there is no volcanic activity
    • Where is most of the world's earthquake and volcanic activity found?
      At the plate boundaries
    • What are 'hot spots' in geology?
      Locations where the mantle is close to the surface
    • What is the area known for volcanic activity around the Pacific Ocean called?
      Pacific Ring of Fire
    • What are the key characteristics of collision zones between continental plates?
      • Plates of the same density collide
      • They buckle up instead of subducting
      • Creation of fold mountains
      • No volcanic activity occurs
    • What are the differences between plate boundaries and hot spots?
      • Plate boundaries: Most earthquake and volcanic activity
      • Hot spots: Occur anywhere with mantle close to surface