1. Plate Tectonics 9.2

2. Plate Tectonics The theory that proposes that Earth’s outer shell consists of individual plates that interact in various ways and thereby produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and the crust itself.

3. Plate One of numerous rigid sections of the lithosphere that moves as a unit over the material of the asthenosphere.

4. Divergent Boundary A region where the rigid plates are moving apart, typified by the oceanic ridges.

5. Covergent Boundary A boundary in which two plates moves together.

6. Transform Fault Boundary A boundary in which two plates slide past each other without creating or destroying lithosphere.

7. Key Concept What is the theory of plate tectonics? According to the theory of plate tectonics, the uppermost mantle, along with the overlaying crust, behaves as a strong, rigid layer. This layer is known as the lithosphere.

8. Key Concept What are lithospheric plates? They are plates within the lithosphere that are continually moving and changes shape/size.

9. Key Concept What are the three types of plate boundaries? The three types of boundaries are convergent, divergent, and transform fault boundaries.