Plate tectonics 1

2. thicker part of Earth’s crust that forms the large land masses
5. a change to the structure of the Earth by tectonic activities
7. a region where two lithosphere plates meet
9. two plates moving apart
11. two plates coming together
13. thinner part of Earth’s crust that lies underneath the ocean basins
14. undersea mountain range formed where two parts of the Earth’s crust are moving apart
15. process where one plate slides under another

1. formation of new oceanic crust due to the up welling of magma at mid-ocean ridges
3. large bowl shaped depression that holds ocean water; regions of crust below sea level
4. theory that describes plate movement and how it affects Earth’s geologic features
6. study of the movement of large masses of rock, known as plates, on the Earth’s surface; includes folds, faults, and plate movement
8. an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by groups of detached researchers; can be used to explain and predict natural phenomena
10. two plates sliding past each other in opposite directions
12. distinct sections of the lithosphere which make up the outermost layer of the Earth