relate plate tectonics to the formation of crustal features Example For Students

relate plate tectonics to the formation of crustal features Term Definition Plate tectonics the theory that Earths outer layer is made up of large, moving pieces called tectonic plates; the theory explains how plates interact and how those interactions relate to processes such as earthquakes and mountain building Crustal features include those expressed on the surface, (such as mountains, rivers, and lakes) as well as those not as visible (such as volcanic feed pipes, earthquake fault lines, Geological formations, and aquifer formations.) Tectonic plates a block of lithosphere that consists of the crust and the rigid, outermost part of the mantle Oceanic crust the relatively thin part of the earths crust that underlies the ocean basins. It is geologically young compared with the continental crust and consists of basaltic rock overlain by sediments. Continental crust is the layer of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks that forms the continents and the areas of shallow seabed close to their shores, known as continental shelves. Volcanic island is an island that was made from volcanoes erupting from the ocean floor. Mountain range a line of mountains connected by high ground. Subduction zone is the biggest crash scene on Earth. These boundaries mark the collision between two of the planets tectonic plates. The plates are pieces of crust that slowly move across the planets surface over millions of years. Earthquake is the perceptible shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release of energy in the Earths crust that creates seismic waves. Converging plates form when 2 or more plates move towards each other in a collision zone. Transform fault boundary a strike-slip fault that offsets a mid-ocean ridge in opposing directions on either side of an axis of seafloor spreading. Folded mountains are created where two or more of Earth’s tectonic plates are pushed together, often at regions known as convergent plate boundaries and continental collision zones. Divergent boundary A tectonic boundary where two plates are moving away from each other and new crust is forming from magma that rises to the Earths surface between the two plates. Subduction boundary A geologic process in which one edge of one crustal plate is forced below the edge of another. Convergent boundary is an actively deforming region where two (or more) tectonic plates or fragments of the lithosphere move toward one another and collide. Mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain system formed by plate tectonics. It consists of various mountains linked in chains, typically having a valley known as a rift running along its spine.