IGCSE Geography : Plate Tectonics Unit Review

Plate Tectonics is a fundamental unit in IGCSE Geography. Here are the key topics and concepts you should focus on:

1. The Earth’s Structure

• Layers of the Earth: Crust, mantle, outer core, inner core.
• Continental and Oceanic Crust: Their composition and characteristics.

2. Theory of Plate Tectonics

• Alfred Wegener’s Continental Drift Theory: Evidence (fit of continents, fossil distribution, geological similarities).
• Seafloor Spreading: Mid-ocean ridges, magnetic anomalies.
• Plate Boundaries: Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.

3. Types of Plate Boundaries

• Divergent Boundaries: Seafloor spreading, creation of new oceanic crust (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge).
• Convergent Boundaries: Destructive plate margins, subduction zones, formation of mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes (e.g., Andes Mountains, Japan).
• Transform Boundaries: Conservative plate margins, earthquakes (e.g., San Andreas Fault).

4. Landforms Created by Plate Tectonics

• Fold Mountains: Formation process (e.g., Himalayas).
• Volcanoes: Types (composite, shield, cinder cone), distribution, hazards.
• Earthquakes: Causes, measurement (Richter scale, Mercalli scale), impacts.
• Tsunamis: Causes, impacts.

5. Hotspots and Volcanic Islands

• Intra-plate volcanism: Formation of volcanic islands (e.g., Hawaiian Islands).

6. Plate Tectonics and Human Activity

• Benefits of volcanic activity: Fertile soil, geothermal energy.
• Hazards of volcanic activity and earthquakes: Loss of life, property damage, economic disruption.
• Human response to tectonic hazards: Prediction, prevention, mitigation.

By understanding these key topics and concepts, you will be well-prepared to tackle the plate tectonics unit in your IGCSE Geography course.

More videos for IGCSE geography here

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCTXYJlvHM_kkMWdFkZdBTOnWzfdqIBIu&si=jYJ3b_CBfUEZC4xL