Plate Tectonics

2. The outer layer of the Earth on top of the mantle.
3. The region where two or more tectonic plates meet. It is a zone of intense seismic activity.
5. Belonging to a continent, eg Africa, Asia, Europe.
8. A term used to describe a liquid substance (eg rock, glass or metal) formed by heating a solid.
11. When two plates slide past each other in different directions or the same direction at different speeds.
12. Where two plates move apart (diverge), causing a release in pressure that results in a volcanic eruption.
13. A zone of hot rock in the interior of the earth located between the outer crust and the molten core. It has the properties of a solid, although it can also flow, very slowly.
14. Occurs when older, denser tectonic plates sink into the mantle, pulling newer and less dense sections of plate along behind.

1. When one crustal plate is forced beneath the other.
4. Something that is partly melted.
6. Force exerted over an area. The greater the pressure, the greater the force exerted over the same area.
7. A sudden shaking of the ground which releases energy and results from underground movement along a fault plane.
9. When two tectonic plates move towards one another. The oceanic crust is forced to sink back into the mantle, whilst the continental crust rises above. Volcanoes and earthquakes are found here.
10. Relating to the ocean.
15. Molten rock that is released from the Earth's core in a volcano or fissure.