Theories of Plate Tectonics - 1109 Words

According to the theory of plate tectonics there is constant motion in the lithosphere which causes the many plates lying upon it to move relatively to one another due to convection currents. There are 3 boundaries where volcanic and seismic events, but not limited to, occur. The constructive plate boundary is where 2 plates, such as the North American plate and the Eurasian plate move apart causing sea-floor spreading and volcanic activity – when the less dense basaltic lava from the asthenosphere rises and forms new crust. The destructive plate margin is where dense oceanic plate is subducted under a continental plate forming a sea trench and fold mountains (e.g. the Nazca plate suducting under the South American plate has formed the Peru-Chile trench and the Andes Mountains); when two oceanic plates converge subdution begins. This forms ocean trenches and island arcs (e.g. the Pacific plate is being subducted under the Philippine plate forming the Marianas Trench and the volcanic islands Guam and Marianas. Seismic activity also occurs along the subducting plate being melted. Fold mountains are also formed when 2 continental plates converge, there is no subdution and no volcanic activity, however, the movement of the plates can cause shallow-focus earthquakes. This convergence is also referred to as collision zones. A prime example is the Indo-Australian plate being forced northwards into the Eurasian plate forming the Himalayas range. The final plate boundary is theShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Plate Tectonics769 Words   |  4 PagesPlate Tectonics The theory of plate tectonics has been explored throughout history because of similarities in coastal boundaries and other evidence found such as fossil records, geometric fit, mountain episodes, the paleoclimate observed, information about the ocean floor, ancient magnetism, distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes and heat flow from the earths core. There were early theories from Wegner’s continental drift which lacked an explanation for the mechanism that drove the continentsRead MoreThe Theory Of Plate Tectonics1561 Words   |  7 PagesPlate tectonics is the theory that the Earth’s crust is divided into large and small plates that move slowly over time. The Earth’s lithosphere is made up eight major plates which include the Africa Plate, Antarctic Plate, Indo-Australian Plate, Australian Plate, Eurasian Plate, North American Plate, South American Plate, and the Pacific Plate. Earth also has dozens of smaller, minor plates (Plate Boundaries). Scientists used this theory to explain what is happening on Earth’s surface. The movementRead MoreThe Theory Of Plate Tectonics1049 Words   |  5 PagesThe Theory of Plate Tectonics. The Theory of Plate Tectonics states that the lithosphere is divided into dozens of plates float on the asthenosphere and the plates move by convection currents. The theory was proposed in 1912 by Alfred Wegener, a German scientist. I will be discussing the evidence on the theory how we are able to better understand it, along with how we are able to prove his theory more accurate with modern technology. I will also be discussing how natural things such as, mountainsRead MoreThe Theory Of Plate Tectonics917 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Earth. The theory of plate tectonics helps to explain how these changes happen. Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that describes the movement of Earth’s lithosphere which is the outer crust or Earth’s surface. The Theory of Plate tectonics states that the Earth’s crust is divided into many large and some smaller plates that move horizontal to each other. These plates move across the asthenosphere, which is a more pliable surface compared to the lithosphere (Kious). The theory is relativelyRead MoreThe Theory Of Plate Tectonics1487 Words   |  6 PagesThe theory of plate tectonics says the lithosphere is split into different plates that move around on top of the surface of the Earth. Though it is just a theory geologic time, ocean trenches, seafloor spreading, mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes are all examples of evidence that support the theory of plate tectonics. Geologic time shows sediment patterns in different layers of the Earth. Geologic time is separated in three main periods called the Cenozoic Era, the Paleozoic Era, and the MesozoicRead MorePlate Tectonics Theories Analysis Essay852 Words   |  4 PagesPlate Tectonics Theories Analysis Since the beginning of human kind there has been a cloud of wonder regarding the natural processes and patterns of our planet. Scientist interested in this field through out the years, have developed many different theories to how our planet geological features have come about. The most widely accepted theory in this field is that of plate tectonics. For those who do not know much about the theory of plate tectonics;Read MoreThe Theory Of Plate Tectonics And Continental Drift950 Words   |  4 PagesThe concept of plate tectonics is that the lithosphere, which is the higher layers of the Earth’s surface, is separated into a number of plates that float independently over the mantle and along the boundaries that initiate the development of new crust, the building of mountains, and the seismic movement that triggers earthquakes (Geosystems 340). Scientists have discovered that the landforms and geographic regions we know and live on today were formed when plate tectonics shift and create movementRead MoreVolcanic and Seismic Events as Proof of Plate Tectonic Theory2670 Words   |  11 Pagesevidence towards proving that plate tectonics theory is valid. A seismic event is the transient motion and release of kinetic energy caused by sudden failure of the earths crust, usually felt as shaking or tremors in the rock mass. Seismic events range in size from barely perceptible tremors to major earthquakes. Volcanic events occur when there is a release of magma, gas and ash from the Earth’s crust. The entire outer surface of the planet is divided into these plate formations with approximatelyRead MoreThe Theory Of Plate Tectonics And Earth s Crust Displacement1217 Words   |  5 Pagescompleted masterpiece due to this. Why is this? The most recent physical changes were caused by the theory of plate tectonics and earth’s crust displacement. Plate tectonics and its movement resulted in our continents drifting across the earth’s surface, and the creation of mountain belts, volcanoes, and the faults of today’s Earth. A German meteorologist and explorer Alfred Wegener put forth the theory of continental drift in the early 1900’s. Wegener pointed out that the earth’s continents lookedRead MoreTo what extent are volcanic landforms fundamental to our understanding of plate tectonics theory?1856 Words   |  8 Pageslandforms fundamental to our understanding of plate tectonics theory? (40) Plate tectonics theory is the scientific theory that describes the large-scale motion of the Earth’s lithosphere, which is broken up into tectonic plates. Volcanic landforms are undoubtedly very important in aiding our understanding of plate tectonic theory. However, there is other evidence that must be considered as well. Different types of volcanoes are created at plate margins due to the viscosity of the lava. The