Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift

Plate Tectonics is the theory that Earth's lithosphere, the rigid outermost layer, is divided into several tectonic plates that move relative to each other.

Seafloor Spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, where two tectonic plates move away from each other.

Subduction is the process by which oceanic crust is recycled back into the mantle at convergent plate boundaries, where one plate moves beneath another.

Continental Collision is the process by which two continental plates collide, resulting in the formation of mountain ranges and the thickening of the continental crust.

Rift Valley Formation is the process by which a long, narrow valley is formed as a result of the stretching and thinning of the continental crust.

Alfred Wegener is credited with developing the theory of continental drift, which proposed that the continents had once been joined together and had drifted apart over time.

Pangea was the name of the supercontinent that existed before the continents drifted apart.

Panthalassa was the name of the ocean that existed before the continents drifted apart.

The Himalayas are the result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates.

The Great Rift Valley is located in East Africa and is a result of the stretching and thinning of the continental crust.

The Pacific Plate is located beneath the Pacific Ocean.

The North American Plate is located beneath North America.

The Eurasian Plate is located beneath Europe and Asia.

The African Plate is located beneath Africa.

The Antarctic Plate is located beneath Antarctica.