Plate Tectonics Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Plate Tectonics?
Plate tectonics is the theory that explains the large-scale motion of Earth’s lithosphere, which includes the crust and uppermost mantle. This theory was first proposed in the early 20th century by German scientist Alfred Wegener. The theory states that Earth’s lithosphere is divided into several large, rigid pieces called plates. These plates move slowly over time due to convection currents within the mantle caused by heat from Earth’s interior. Movement of these plates creates different geological phenomena including mountain building, volcanism, earthquakes, and oceanic trench formation.The movement of these individual plates can be divided into three main types: divergent boundaries, transform boundaries or strike-slip faults, and convergent boundaries. Divergent boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move away from each other; this process forms rift valleys and mid-oceanic ridges such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Transform boundaries are where two tectonic plates move alongside each other in opposite directions; this process creates linear features such as faults or fracture zones along which earthquakes usually occur. Finally, convergent boundaries form when two tectonic plates collide with each other; this process forms mountain ranges such as the Himalayas or volcanic arcs such as Japan’s Ring of Fire. Plate tectonics play an important role in shaping our planet and understanding their behavior can help us better predict natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis more accurately. Plate tectonics also has a major influence on climate patterns due to its effect on continental drift; for example changes in plate motion have caused ice ages over geologic time periods while warmer climates occurred during times of continental drift (i.e., Pangaea). Consequently a better understanding of plate movements can help us understand past climate changes as well as present day climate change due to human activities like burning fossil fuels etc.