The following are the subtopics of Slow Movements (Diastrophism):
- Orogeny
- Epeirogeny
- Isostasy
- Tectonism
- Volcanism
- Earthquakes
- Mountain building
- Rifting
- Plate tectonics
- Continental drift
- Seafloor spreading
- Subduction
- Accretion
- Collision
- Orogeny is the process of mountain building. It is caused by the collision of tectonic plates.
- Epeirogeny is the process of uplift or subsidence of large areas of the Earth’s crust. It is not caused by the collision of tectonic plates.
- Isostasy is the state of equilibrium in which the Earth’s crust and mantle are in balance. It is caused by the difference in density between the crust and the mantle.
- Tectonism is the general term for the deformation of the Earth’s crust. It can be caused by orogeny, epeirogeny, or isostasy.
- Volcanism is the process of eruption of molten rock, ash, and gas from a volcano. It is caused by the movement of magma beneath the Earth’s surface.
- Earthquakes are the shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by the sudden release of energy. They are caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
- Mountain building is the process of formation of mountains. It is caused by the collision of tectonic plates.
- Rifting is the process of formation of rift valleys. It is caused by the separation of tectonic plates.
- Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth’s surface is made up of a number of plates that move over the Earth’s mantle.
- Continental drift is the theory that the continents have moved over the Earth’s surface over time.
- Seafloor spreading is the process of formation of new ocean crust. It is caused by the separation of tectonic plates.
- Subduction is the process of one tectonic plate being forced under another tectonic plate.
- Accretion is the process of growth of a tectonic plate by the addition of material from another tectonic plate.
- Collision is the process of two tectonic plates coming into contact with each other.
The Earth’s surface is constantly changing, thanks to the slow movements of the tectonic plates that make up its crust. These movements can cause a variety of phenomena, including orogeny, epeirogeny, isostasy, tectonism, volcanism, earthquakes, mountain building, rifting, plate tectonics, continental drift, seafloor spreading, subduction, accretion, and collision.
Orogeny is the process of mountain building. It is caused by the collision of tectonic plates. When two plates collide, the edges of the plates are forced up, creating mountains. The Himalayas, for example, were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Epeirogeny is the process of uplift or subsidence of large areas of the Earth’s crust. It is not caused by the collision of tectonic plates. Epeirogeny can be caused by a variety of factors, including changes in the Earth’s mantle, the movement of glaciers, and the deposition of sediment.
Isostasy is the state of equilibrium in which the Earth’s crust and mantle are in balance. It is caused by the difference in density between the crust and the mantle. The crust is less dense than the mantle, so it floats on top of the mantle. The weight of the crust causes it to sink into the mantle, but the buoyancy of the crust keeps it from sinking too far.
Tectonism is the general term for the deformation of the Earth’s crust. It can be caused by orogeny, epeirogeny, or isostasy. Tectonism can also be caused by the movement of magma beneath the Earth’s surface.
Volcanism is the process of eruption of molten rock, ash, and gas from a volcano. It is caused by the movement of magma beneath the Earth’s surface. Magma is formed when the Earth’s mantle melts. The magma rises to the surface through cracks in the Earth’s crust, and when it reaches the surface, it erupts as a volcano.
Earthquakes are the shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by the sudden release of energy. They are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. When two plates move past each other, they can grind together or stick together. If they stick together, the stress builds up until the plates suddenly slip, releasing the energy in the form of an earthquake.
Mountain building is the process of formation of mountains. It is caused by the collision of tectonic plates. When two plates collide, the edges of the plates are forced up, creating mountains. The Himalayas, for example, were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Rifting is the process of formation of rift valleys. It is caused by the separation of tectonic plates. When two plates separate, the crust between them is pulled apart, creating a rift valley. The East African Rift Valley, for example, is a rift valley that is currently forming.
Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth’s surface is made up of a number of plates that move over the Earth’s mantle. The plates are constantly moving, and they can collide, separate, or grind past each other. These movements can cause a variety of phenomena, including orogeny, epeirogeny, isostasy, tectonism, volcanism, earthquakes, mountain building, rifting, and subduction.
Continental drift is the theory that the continents have moved over the Earth’s surface over time. The continents are not fixed in place, but they are constantly moving. The movement of the continents is caused by the movement of the tectonic plates.
Seafloor spreading is the process of formation of new ocean crust. It is caused by the separation of tectonic plates. When two plates separate, the magma from the Earth’s mantle rises to the surface and cools, forming new ocean crust.
Subduction is the process of one tectonic plate being forced under another tectonic plate. When two plates collide, the denser plate is forced under the less dense plate. The denser plate is then melted and recycled back into the Earth’s mantle.
Accretion is the process of growth of a tectonic plate by the addition of material from another tectonic plate. When two plates collide, the edge of the denser plate is forced under the less dense plate. The less dense plate then accretes material from the denser plate.
Collision is the process of two tectonic plates coming into contact with each other. When two plates collide, they can either grind past each other, stick together, or one plate can be forced under the other plate. The type of collision that occurs depends on the relative densities of the two plates.
Orogeny
- What is orogeny?
Orogeny is the process of mountain building. - What causes orogeny?
Orogeny is caused by the collision of tectonic plates. - What are the effects of orogeny?
The effects of orogeny include the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and VolcanoesVolcanoes.
Epeirogeny
- What is epeirogeny?
Epeirogeny is the process of uplift or subsidence of large areas of the Earth’s crust. - What causes epeirogeny?
Epeirogeny is caused by the movement of mantle plumes. - What are the effects of epeirogeny?
The effects of epeirogeny include the formation of plateaus and basins.
Isostasy
- What is isostasy?
Isostasy is the state of equilibrium in which the Earth’s crust and mantle are in balance. - What causes isostasy?
Isostasy is caused by the difference in density between the crust and the mantle. - What are the effects of isostasy?
The effects of isostasy include the formation of mountains and valleys.
Tectonism
- What is tectonism?
Tectonism is the general term for the deformation of the Earth’s crust. - What causes tectonism?
Tectonism can be caused by orogeny, epeirogeny, or isostasy. - What are the effects of tectonism?
The effects of tectonism include the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
Volcanism
- What is volcanism?
Volcanism is the process of eruption of molten rock, ash, and gas from a volcano. - What causes volcanism?
Volcanism is caused by the movement of magma beneath the Earth’s surface. - What are the effects of volcanism?
The effects of volcanism include the formation of volcanoes, lava flows, and ash deposits.
Earthquakes
- What is an earthquake?
An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by the sudden release of energy. - What causes earthquakes?
Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. - What are the effects of earthquakes?
The effects of earthquakes include damage to buildings and InfrastructureInfrastructure, loss of life, and tsunamis.
Mountain building
- What is mountain building?
Mountain building is the process of formation of mountains. - What causes mountain building?
Mountain building is caused by the collision of tectonic plates. - What are the effects of mountain building?
The effects of mountain building include the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
Rifting
- What is rifting?
Rifting is the process of formation of rift valleys. - What causes rifting?
Rifting is caused by the separation of tectonic plates. - What are the effects of rifting?
The effects of rifting include the formation of rift valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
Plate tectonics
- What is plate tectonics?
Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth’s surface is made up of a number of plates that move over the Earth’s mantle. - What are the plates?
The plates are the Earth’s crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. - What are the boundaries?
The boundaries between the plates are the areas where the plates move relative to each other. - What are the types of boundaries?
There are three types of boundaries: divergent, convergent, and transform.
Continental drift
- What is continental drift?
Continental drift is the theory that the continents have moved over the Earth’s surface over time. - What causes continental drift?
Continental drift is caused by the movement of tectonic plates. - What are the effects of continental drift?
The effects of continental drift include the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
Seafloor spreading
- What is seafloor spreading?
Seafloor spreading is the process of formation of new ocean crust. - What causes seafloor spreading?
Seafloor spreading is caused by the separation of tectonic plates. - What are the effects of seafloor spreading?
The effects of seafloor spreading include the formation of new ocean crust, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
Subduction
- What is subduction?
Subduction is the process of one tectonic plate being forced under another tectonic plate. - What causes subduction?
Subduction is caused by the movement of tectonic plates. - What are the effects of subduction?
The effects of subduction include the formation of volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain ranges.
Question 1
The process of formation of new ocean crust is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(CC) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Seafloor spreading
Answer
(E) Seafloor spreading is the process of formation of new ocean crust. It is caused by the separation of tectonic plates.
Question 2
The theory that the Earth’s surface is made up of a number of plates that move over the Earth’s mantle is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Plate tectonics
Answer
(E) Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth’s surface is made up of a number of plates that move over the Earth’s mantle.
Question 3
The theory that the continents have moved over the Earth’s surface over time is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Continental drift
Answer
(E) Continental drift is the theory that the continents have moved over the Earth’s surface over time.
Question 4
The process of uplift or subsidence of large areas of the Earth’s crust is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Volcanism
Answer
(B) Epeirogeny is the process of uplift or subsidence of large areas of the Earth’s crust. It is not caused by the collision of tectonic plates.
Question 5
The state of equilibrium in which the Earth’s crust and mantle are in balance is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Volcanism
Answer
(C) Isostasy is the state of equilibrium in which the Earth’s crust and mantle are in balance. It is caused by the difference in density between the crust and the mantle.
Question 6
The general term for the deformation of the Earth’s crust is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Volcanism
Answer
(D) Tectonism is the general term for the deformation of the Earth’s crust. It can be caused by orogeny, epeirogeny, or isostasy.
Question 7
The process of eruption of molten rock, ash, and gas from a volcano is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Volcanism
Answer
(E) Volcanism is the process of eruption of molten rock, ash, and gas from a volcano. It is caused by the movement of magma beneath the Earth’s surface.
Question 8
The shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by the sudden release of energy is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Earthquakes
Answer
(E) Earthquakes are the shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by the sudden release of energy. They are caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
Question 9
The process of formation of mountains is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Volcanism
Answer
(A) Orogeny is the process of mountain building. It is caused by the collision of tectonic plates.
Question 10
The process of formation of rift valleys is called:
(A) Orogeny
(B) Epeirogeny
(C) Isostasy
(D) Tectonism
(E) Rifting
Answer
(E) Rifting is the process of formation of rift valleys. It is caused by the separation of tectonic plates.