plate tectonics

Sections of the Earth's crust that move due to convection currents.

A German scientist who proposed the theory of continental drift

term for the super continent which contained all the plates together

The thin and solid outermost layer of the Earth above the mantle

A plate boundary where two plates move past each other in opposite directions

The hypothesis that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and drifted to their present locations

The process by which new oceanic crust forms as magma rises toward the surface and solidifies.

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, come together, or crash into each other.

The boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other

A valley formed at a divergent boundary by the separation of tectonic plates consisting of continental crust.

The process in which two plates collide and the denser oceanic crust sinks beneath the continental crust.

The continuous heating and cooling of magma within the mantle that acts as a conveyor and moves Earth's plates.

Deep valley in the ocean floor that forms along a subduction zone.

An underwater mountain range made at divergent plate boundaries.

The portion of the earth's crust that primarily contains granite, is less dense than oceanic crust, and is 20-50 km thick.