Earth's tectonics plates have been slowly moving and interacting for billions of years

Alfred Wegener theorized that the continents might have all been connected at one time because he found that Antarctica had similar fossils to the continents around it.

the deepest layer of Earth; solid; made of very hot metal

surrounds the inner core; liquid; made of hot metal

surrounds the outer core; Earth's thickest layer; very hot; consists of dense rock

the part of the Earth we see; two types: continental and oceanic

two plates slide past each other; can create severe earthquakes

two plates collide together; can create mountain ranges or deep trenches

two plates move away from each other, pull apart, or separate; can create ridges

An area of trenches, volcanic arcs, and plate movement where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur around the Pacific Ocean.

a series of giant ocean waves caused by undersea earthquakes

To reduce the impact of earthquakes or tsunamis, people could build buildings in safer locations with sturdier structures.

molten rock and gas beneath the earth's surface

a mixture of hot gases, ash, chunks or rock, and melted liquified rock

a huge space or chamber that is filled with magma

the powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.

a hole in a volcano

Volcanoes are formed when magma reaches the earth's surface. Each time the volcano erupts lava flows down the sides of the volcano, cools, and adds another layer or rock.

plates are able to move because under the crust there is hot, molten lava driving the continents around