Plate tectonics (Noun)

The movement of the

Earth’s tectonic plates.

“Convergent, divergent, and

transform boundaries are

forms of plate tectonics.”

Tectonic plate (Noun)

The pieces of the Earth’s

crust that float on the mantle,

causing continental drift and

earthquakes and creating

volcanoes, trenches, and

mountains.

“The Earth’s crust is divided

into tectonic plates that move

away, into, and around each

other.

Oceanic crust/plate (Noun)

The part of the Earth’s

crust found

underneath oceans.

“The larger the ocean,

the larger the oceanic

crust under it.”

Continental crust/plate (Noun)

A tectonic plate that

carries a continent.

“Convergent

boundaries at

continental plates

create mountains.”

Continent (Noun)

A large piece of land.

“The Earth is divided

into seven main

continents.”

Continental drift (Noun)

The movement of

continental plates.

“Continental drift is

the reason why

Pangaea once

existed.”

Mantle (Noun)

The layer of the Earth

between the crust and core

made of hot, semi-solid rock.

“The Earth’s mantle is

divided into the upper (under

crust) and lower (above

core) sections.”

Layer (Noun)

The different parts of our

planet: crust, upper and

lower mantle, and outer and

inner core.

“The Earth has three main

layers.”

Divergent boundary (Noun)

When two or more

plates pull away from

each other.

“Rifts are created by

divergent

boundaries.”

Diverge (Verb)

When two or more tectonic

plates move apart from

each other.

“When plates diverge, they

can create a mid-oceanic

ridge.”

Mid-oceanic ridge (Noun)

An underwater mountain

range created by

convection currents at

divergent boundaries.

“There is a large mid-

oceanic ridge in the middle

of the Atlantic Ocean.”

Rift (Noun)

A gap created by

divergent

boundaries.

“A rift is made by two

continental plates

moving apart from

each other.”

Transform boundary (Noun)

When two or more plates

grind against each other,

also called a strike-slip

boundary.

“Strong earthquakes are

caused by transform

boundaries.”

Transform (Verb)

When two or more

tectonic plates grind

against each other.

“When tectonic plates

transform,

earthquakes and

tsunamis can occur.”

Grind (Verb)

To rub against

something.

“Tectonic plates grind

when they are at

convergent and

transform boundaries.”

Earthquake (Noun)

Wild and unexpected

shaking of the ground

caused by plate tectonics or

volcanic eruptions.

“Nepal experienced a strong

earthquake recently.”

Epicenter (Noun)

The place on the crust

above the exact point

where an earthquake

occurred.

“The epicenter of an

earthquake experiences the

most damage.”

Tremble (Verb)

To shake.

“The ground and

buildings tremble

during earthquakes.”

Magnitude (Noun)

The size or strength of an

earthquake using the

Richter scale as measured

by a seismograph.

“The recent Nepal

earthquake had a

magnitude of 7.8.”

Tsunami (Noun)

A large oceanic wave that

moves quickly and is

created by an underwater

earthquake or plate

tectonics.

“Japan was hit by a large

tsunami in 2011.”

Convergent boundary (Noun)

When two or more

plates collide into

each other.

“Trenches are made by

convergent

boundaries.”

Converge (Verb)

When two or more

tectonic plates move

towards each other.

“When plates

converge mountains

can be created.”

Subduct (Verb)

When a tectonic plate

moves under another

tectonic plate and create a

subduction zone.

“Tectonic plates subduct at

convergent boundaries.”

Subduction zone (Noun)

A place between two

plates at a convergent

boundary where one plate

is being pushed into the

mantle.

“Trenches can be found at

subduction zones.”

Trench (Noun)

A long, narrow

opening underneath

the ocean.

“Subduction zones

create trenches.”

Volcano (Noun)

A mountain or hill formed

by plate tectonics that has

an opening that releases

lava, rock fragments, hot

vapor, ash, and gas.

“When a volcano erupts, it

affects the weather and the

organisms living near it.

Volcanic ash (Noun)

Rock fragments, dust, and

other materials released by

a volcano during an

eruption.

“During an eruption,

volcanic ash can affect the

weather of an area.”

Magma (Noun)

Crust that has been melted

into a liquid by the heat of

the mantle.

“Before lava leaves a

volcano, it is called magma.”

Lava (Noun)

Hot, liquid rock

released by

volcanoes.

“When a volcano

erupts, it oozes lava.”

Erupt (Verb)

When a volcano

releases lava, ash,

gas, and other

materials.

“It is unsafe to be near

a volcano when it

erupts.”

Explosion (Noun)

The quick spread of

energy from a

source.

“When a volcano

erupts, it causes a big

and loud explosion.”