Crossword Puzzle Directions. Fill out the crossword puzzle with the correct terms using the given clues. Across 2. Fracture or discontinuity in a volume of rocks. 4. Plates are moving away from each other. 6. Horizontal motion movement of plates. 9. A chain of mountains. Down 1. Earth’s crust and uppermost mantle 3. Chain of volcanoes formed from subducting plates. 5. Plates are moving toward each other and collide. 7. Occur when flat surface bent or curved. 8. A large landform formed from tectonic forces. 10. Low area between hills and mountain Score:
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Here are the answers for the crossword puzzle along with explanations for each clue:
Across:
- Fault (Fracture or discontinuity in a volume of rocks)
- A fault is a crack or fracture in the Earth’s crust where movement has occurred. It is commonly found at plate boundaries or where tectonic forces cause stress on the Earth’s surface.
- Divergent (Plates are moving away from each other)
- Divergent boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move away from each other. This movement is often seen at mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed.
- Transform (Horizontal motion movement of plates)
- A transform boundary occurs when two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. The motion along these boundaries can lead to earthquakes, such as the San Andreas Fault in California.
- Mountain range (A chain of mountains)
- A mountain range is a series of connected mountains formed by tectonic forces such as plate collisions, folding, and faulting over millions of years.
Down:
- Lithosphere (Earth’s crust and uppermost mantle)
- The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is broken into tectonic plates that move over the more fluid asthenosphere below.
- Volcanic Arc (Chain of volcanoes formed from subducting plates)
- A volcanic arc forms when one tectonic plate subducts under another, leading to the formation of volcanoes as magma rises to the surface. Examples include the Cascade Range in North America and the Japanese archipelago.
- Convergent (Plates are moving toward each other and collide)
- Convergent boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move toward each other and collide, often leading to mountain-building or subduction, where one plate is forced beneath another.
- Fold (Occur when flat surface bent or curved)
- Folds occur when layers of rock are compressed and bend due to tectonic forces. This bending can result in mountain ranges and other geological features.
- Plateau (A large landform formed from tectonic forces)
- A plateau is a flat or gently sloping elevated area of land that forms from tectonic forces or volcanic activity. Examples include the Colorado Plateau in the U.S.
- Valley (Low area between hills and mountains)
- A valley is a low-lying area between higher landforms, often created by erosion from rivers or glaciers. Valleys can be found in many geological regions and are typically fertile areas for agriculture.
By filling in these answers, you’ll be able to complete the crossword puzzle and gain a better understanding of the geological processes involved in plate tectonics.
