Plate Tectonics and Internal Processes notes
87 notes by 72 users · Page 1 of 3
This GoConqr page gathers notes on Plate Tectonics and Internal Processes, from plate margins to sea floor spreading and continental drift. Its over 70 notes are mostly school-level, for school students revising tectonic processes and teachers looking for material on those topics. Choose a note to start exploring.
Notes
-
Plate Tectonics Plate tectonics is the study of the processes that cause the movement of the earth's plates and the landforms that result. The theory suggests that the earth's crust is broken into segments called plates. There are 7 ...
-
Processes at Plate Margins Destructive Plate Boundaries - Fold Mountains: Converging plate boundaries occur where two plates come together and collide. The effects of converging plates vary with the type of plate present, resulting in different...
-
Geography plate margins Plate Margins 3 main types of plate margins (most common) Constructive also known as divergent Conservative also known as transform Destructive also known as convergent Constructive
-
Sea Floor Spreading Sea floor spreading happens at mid-ocean ridges. Mid Ocean Ridges are mountain ranges underneath the ocean. In the middle of the ridge is a volcano. These volcanoes do not erupt the way volcanoes on ...
-
Tectonic plate boundaries Tectonic processes and activity Constructive/divergent plate margin Process 1) Two continental/oceanic plates diverge from each other (have to be the same density, hence two of the same plates are needed) which is con...
-
The Spreading Oceans Evidence for Sea Floor SpreadingAs more research has been done on the ocean floor, data are constantly improving. New technologies have allowed the deep sea floor to be filmed from submersibles capable of working in t...
-
Where does magma come from? Magma at divergent plate marginsDivergent plate margins are rarely seen at the surface, as mid-ocean ridges (MOR) are on the deep ocean floor. Iceland is one of the few places where rifting and magma can be seen. Ocea...
-
Plate Boundaries Oceanic-Oceanic Convergent Plate MarginThe slower or older/colder oceanic plate is carried downwards at the trench, into an area of higher temperature. The geothermal gradient increases with depth, so as the plate is ...
-
Drifting Continents Evidence for Continetal DriftA large land mass called Gondwanaland is believed to have existed about 250 Ma. This huge contintent included what are no South America, Africa, Antartica, India and Australia. As a single...
-
Convergent_Plate_Boundaries
-
Restless Earth Notes Structure of the Earth The crust is a thin layer of solid rock floating on the semi molten mantle.It is made of sections called plates which an be continental or oceanic Continental plates are older, thicker and less ...
-
Geography - The Restless Earth - Earthquake in a MEDC - Japan CASE STUDY Japan Earthquake MEDC CASE STUDY Background · The earthquake happened on Friday 11th March 2011 and lasted for 5 minutes · An Earthquake warning was sent out about 1 minute before the earthquake hit. · The earthquake ...
-
Plate Tectonics Plate tectonics is the study of the processes that cause the movement of the earth's plates and the landforms that result. The theory suggests that the earth's crust is broken into segments called plates. There are 7 ...
-
Continental Drift Theory: Understanding Earth’s Moving Continents Continental drift theory is a cornerstone of modern geology. It describes the gradual movement of Earth's continents across the globe over geological time. First proposed in the early 20th century, this theory transfo...
-
2.1 Earthquakes and Volcanoes The Structure of the Earth Outer to InnerThe crust: (8-65km thick) the layer you live on; a thin skin of rock around the Earth, like the skin on an appleThe mantle: forms about half of the Earth; made of heavier rocks...
-
Convergent Plate Boundaries When two plates move towards each other a collision takes place. There are two types of plates: oceanic and continental, so there are three types of convergent plate margins: oceanic-continental: collision of the Nazc...
-
Plate Motion Plate Motion Types Divergent (pulling apart from each other) Convergent (pushing together) Conservative (can slide past each other) There is no gap opened or closed in this motion, so surface area is conserved The pla...
-
Elevation, earthquakes and eruptions History of plate tectonics, accepted since 1960s Range of surface elevations both above and below sea level, shown on map as green/brown/beige and blue Topography is used to desacibe the elevations on land above sea l...
-
Volcanic Activity Plate tectonics and Volcanoes Activity Explain how the study of plate tectonics has helped us to understand the global distribution of volcanoes? Two of the forces at work along the crustal plates boundaries are Colli...
-
PLATES TECTONICS PLATE TECTONICS CONTINENTAL DRIFT Alfred Wegener stated that land masses that are currently separated were joined together in the past and that continents slowly moved to their current location. Wegener described the ...
-
theory of plate tectonics The Theory of Plate Tectonics The structure of the earth Core Inner and outer Inner is solid Outer is molten Dense rock (iron and nickel) Over 5000c Heated from primordial heat (left over from Big Bang) and radioactiv...
-
Restless Earth - created from Mind Map Two types of crust Continental crust - makes up most of the land area of the Earth. Dominated by rocks below the surface such as granite. Oceanic crust - much thinner, made up of rocks such as basalt. Between 25 and 8...
-
Divergent plate boundaries Divergent Boundary Features Surface features Volcanic activity Earthquake distribution Magnetic features Oceanic Ridges linear mountain chains, all major oceans have them longest mountain chain- total lengt...
-
Plate tectonics - created from Mind Map Replaced idea of continental drift 1950s and 1960s 7 large sections called plates A few smaller sections called plates Convection currents Caused by the intense heat in the mantle Causes the plates to move Plate bound...
-
Making Plate Tectonics Happen Convection CellsThe interior of the earth is hot. The heat is partly left over from the formation of the Earth, but is also due to ongoing decay of radioactive heat producing elements. If more heat is generated in som...
-
Plate Tectonics Plate Tectonics Alfred Wegener First proposed hypothesis, 1915 Origin of continents and Oceans - 1912 Continental drift hypothesis Supercontinent called Pangea began breaking apart about 200 million years ago C...
-
Plate convergence and destruction Topics Trenches Earthquake distribution Explosive volcanism Types of subduction zone Continental collision What happens when plates collide/converge One plate slides beneath the other, process called subduction This h...
-
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami What happened? A 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck Japan on 11/03/11. The quake centres 130 km east of Sendai. A tsunami crashed into the country's north-eastern coast. It lasted 6 minutes. It was the 5th largest earthq...
-
Untitled Wegeners Theory: Continental Drift His idea was that the Earth's continents were once joined together, but gradually moved apart over millions of years. It offered an explanation of the existence of similar fossils an...
-
Hotspots and Intra-plate earthquakes Hotspots and Intra-plate earthquakes Most active volcanoes are associated with divergent and convergent plate margins - around 75% along the ring of fire (many earthquakes found here too). However, some volcanoes are ...
-
Fold Mountains Fold Mountains Formation - River deposits sediment on the sea bed, this eventually builds up and the sediment begins to compress.- As the sediment continues to compress it forms sedimentary rock.- The two plates are m...
-
KOBE Kobe Earthquake, Japan Specification: (on this page)A case study of an earthquake in a rich part of the world and one from a poorer area – their specific causes; primary and secondary effects; immediate and long-term ...
-
Plate Tectonics PLATE TECTONICS Alfred Wegener - Wrote a book in 1912: The Origin of Continents and Oceans - First proposed hypothesis in 1915 * Continental drift hypothesis - Supercontinent called...
-
The Tectonic Cycle The Internal Structure Of The EarthTHE MANTLE:Made up of rock.Molten or semi-molten state.THE OUTER CORE:Made up of mainly iron.Molten/liquid state.THE INNER CORE:Made up of mainly iron and nickel.Solid state.Very hig...
-
Plate tectonic theory Plate Tectonics Theory 21/9/16 Continental Drift - the gradual movement of the continents across the earth's surface through geological timeAlfred Wegener - a single continent existed called - Pangaea Pangaea then lat...
-
Untitled FOLD MOUNTAINS What are they?Long High mountain ranges caused by sediment being forced upwards in folds. Over periods of time when the earths movement is quiet, layers of sedimentary rock form huge depressions called ...
-
Tectonic Plates and Plate Boundaries Tectonic Plates and Plate Boundaries The Earth's crust is broken up into tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving due to convection currents, generated by radioactive decay in the Earth's co...
-
Plate Tedctonics
-
Volcanoes - created from Mind Map Causes Types Effects
-
Plate Tectonics Alfred Wegener: - First proposed hypothesis, 1915 - published The Origin of Continents and Oceans. - Wegener's Pangea redrawn om his book published in 1912 Continental drift hypothesis: ...
More Plate Tectonics and Internal Processes resources
About plate tectonics and internal processes notes
GoConqr OriginalPlate tectonics and internal processes notes
These notes offer different ways into the unit. Sea Floor Spreading describes mid-ocean ridges, while Drifting Continents looks at evidence for continental drift. Processes at Plate Margins covers several boundary types, as well as fold mountains, volcanoes and hotspots.
Reading the notes
Start with Plate Tectonics for an overview of moving plates and the landforms that result. Then read Geography plate margins to compare constructive, conservative and destructive margins. Use the headings in Processes at Plate Margins to find a particular process when you want more detail.
As you read, write a short summary of each margin type and check it against the notes. If you want a visual way to organise the ideas, switch to a mind map on the unit page. For a change from reading, try a quiz there and return to the relevant note afterwards.
Pick a topic and explore the notes at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
Which note is a useful starting point?
Plate Tectonics is a useful starting point because it introduces plate movement and the landforms that result. If you are already reviewing boundary types, Geography plate margins may be more useful: it covers constructive, conservative and destructive margins. Both are notes listed on this page.
Are these notes free to use?
Yes. Every note listed here is free to open and study without an account. The notes were made by GoConqr users, rather than by GoConqr. A free account can also save quiz scores and let you make your own quizzes, mind maps, flashcards and notes.
Can I find notes for GCSE Geography?
Yes. The page includes a note labelled for Edexcel GCSE Geography on the Restless Earth and the Earth's makeup. Other notes cover topics you can explore alongside it, including plate margins, earthquakes and volcanoes. Check individual notes to find the material that matches what you are revising.