Unit 1 People and the Physical World: Plate Tectonics Key Word Glossary

St Ivo School Geography Department Revision Quiz - Plate Tectonics Key Word Glossary

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CoreThe centre of the earth
CrustThe thin layer at the earth's surface
MantleThe molten layer surrounding the earth's core
Conservative Boundary (Transform Fault)Where two plates move parallel (side by side) to each other
Collision BoundaryWhere two continental plates are moving together
Destructive (convergent) BoundaryWhere an oceanic and continental plate are moving together
Constructive (divergent) BoundaryWhere two plates are moving away from each other
Plate MarginsThe place where two plates meet
Subduction zoneThe point at whihc one plate is dragged under another
Tectonic PlatesLarge slabs of the earths crust which move across the globe on top of the mantle below
An earthquakeA sudden movement within the earth's crust
EpicentrePoint on the earth's surface directly above an earthquakes focus
The FocusThe point where an earthquake starts underground
LiquefactionWhere the ground turns to a liquid state as water is shaken up from below
Primary effectsThe direct effects of an earthquake e.g. building collapsing
Secondary effectsThe indirect effects of an earthqukae - e.g. fire caused by broken gas main
SeismographA graph measuring and recording the intensity of an earhtquake
MagnitudeThe amount of energy released by an earthquake
Richter ScaleThe scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake
Pyroclastic flowA dense burning avalanche of hot gases, volcanic fragments and ash
LavaMolten rock on the earth's surface
MagmaMolten rock under the earth's surface
VolcanoAn opening at the earth's curst through which lava and ash may be ejected
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