Term |
Definition |
Crust |
The thin and soild outermost layer of the earth above the mantle. |
Mantle |
The layer of rock between the earths crust or core |
Core |
The central part of the earth below the mantle. |
Lithosphere |
The solid, outer layer of the earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle. |
Asthenosphere |
The soft layer of the mantle on which the tectonic plates move. |
Mesosphere |
The strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core. |
Tectonic plate |
A block of lithosphere that consists of the crust and the rigid, outermost part of the mantle. |
Continental drift |
The hypothesis that states that continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and drifted or their present locations. |
Sea~floor spreading |
The process by which new oceanic lithosphere forms as magma rises toward the surface and solidifies. |
Plate tectonics |
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The theory that explains how large pieces of the earths outermost layer, called tectonic plates, move and change shape |
Convergent boundary |
The boundary formed by the collision of two lithosphere |
Divergent boundary |
The boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. |
Transform boundary |
The boundary between tectonic plates that are sliding pst each other horizontally. |
Compression |
Stress that occurs when forces act to squeeze an object |
Tension |
Stress that occurs when forces act to stretch an object |
Folding |
The bending of rock layers due to stress |
Fault |
A break in a body of rock alone which one block slides relative to another |
Uplift |
The rising of regions of the earths crust to higher elevations |
Subsidence |
The sinking of regions of the earths crust to lower elevations |