Restless earth

• What happens at constructive plates?

  As 2 plates move apart molten magma or rocks rise from the mantle to fill the gap forming new crust
• What happens at destructive plates?

  Oceanic plate is forced to bend and go down into the mantle beneath the other. This process of subduction triggers earthquakes, friction in the heat of the mantle melt the descending plate in the subduction zone, forming magma to rise and forms volcanoes
• What happens at conservative plates

  As 2 plates slide past eachother, along the fault line. Friction between them means they tend to stick until pressure builds up and is released in a sudden jerking movement an earthquake
• What happens at collision plates?

  Rocks on the surface or sea floor fold upwards and creates fold mountains. Sometimes magma starts to rise through the mountains but cools forming igneous rock
• What are convection currents?

  Repetitive movements set up in the mantle due to the heating by the core
• How are earthquakes caused?

  The release of builds up pressure in the crust in the form of seismic waves. This happens because plates don't move smoothly and sometimes they get stuck and a great deal of pressure builds up and is eventually released
• How are plates able to move?

  Plates can move because they rest on the molten magma of the mantle which moves in convection currents so that where magma rises the plates were pulled apart
• What is the focus?


  The point at which the earthquake happens below ground
• What is the epicentre?

  The point on the earths surface directly above where an earthquake starts
• What is liquefaction?

  When an earthquake shakes wet soil and the water rises to the surface and turns wet soil into liquid mud. Buildings can sink into the mud