Plate Tectonics

exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other

formed by two diverging continental plates

an underwater mountain system formed by diverging oceanic plates

the formation of new areas of oceanic crust, which occurs through the upwelling of magma at midocean ridges and its subsequent outward movement on either side

tectonic plates that move toward one another

takes place at convergent boundaries of tectonic plates where one plate moves under another and is forced or sinks due to gravity into the mantle

major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur

tectonic plates that slide past each

a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action

formed at the boundary of two converging continental tectonic plates

form when one tectonic plate slides beneath another plate at a subduction zone

a mixture of molten or semi-molten rock, volatiles and solids that is found beneath the surface of the Earth

a place where two tectonic plates meet; may be divergent, convergent, or transform

includes the crust and the uppermost mantle, which constitute the hard and rigid outer layer of the Earth; subdivided into plates

the layer of the Earth that lies below the lithosphere where convection of the mantle takes place