XI. Tectonic Landforms
A. Structure of the Earth
(fig 13-1, 13-2)
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Lithosphere - rigid, solid, rocky - makes the plates
-
vertical variations
-
horizontal variations
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continental crust - thick (32-40km) and light
-
ocean crust - thin (7 km) and heavy
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Asthenosphere - soft, partially melted
B. Plate Boundaries
(fig. 14-7, 14-5, 14-9)
- divergent boundaries - mid-ocean ridges, basalt volcs; create ocean
crust
- convergent boundaries -
- at least one ocean plate: subduction zones - explosive volcs.;
destroy ocean crust
- two continents: continental collision, huge mountains
- transform boundaries
C. Divergent Boundaries
(fig. 14-6, 14-8, 14-10)
- motion: away from each other
- creates ocean crust
- gentle lava volcanoes
- small shallow earthquakes
- mid-ocean ridge
- Iceland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
D. Convergent Boundaries
(fig. 14-11, 14-2)
- subduction zone
- motion - toward each other, ocean crust goes down under other plate
- destroys ocean crust
- explosive, deadly volcanoes
- huge, deep earthquakes
- trench and volcanic arc
- Cascades, Japan, Andes, Philippines, Aleutians
- continental collision
- motion - toward each other
- no effect on ocean crust
- no volcanoes
- variable earthquakes
- huge mountains
- Himalayas, Alps, Appalachians
E. Transform
(fig. 14-13)
- side-by-side sliding motion
- no effect on ocean crust
- no volcanoes
- variable earthquakes
- subtle landforms
- San Andreas
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