Plate tectonics map of the world, showing plates, boundaries, boundary types and more. The theory of plate tectonics explains the relative movement of crustal plates that are juxtaposed with each other to form an interlocking pattern of plate boundaries, oceanic trenches, mountain ranges, etc. Even though the theory of plate tectonics is now widely accepted by the scientific community, aspects of the theory are still being debated today. Plate tectonics summary the earth is made up of 3 main layers core, mantle, crust on the surface of the earth are tectonic plates that slowly move around the globe plates are made of crust and upper mantle lithosphere there are 2 types of plates there are 3 types of plate boundaries volcanoes and earthquakes are closely. Development of plate tectonic theory flashcards quizlet. Continental scale tectonics too big for early uniformitanism the uniformitarian principle presentis thekeytothepast assumes that the geologic forces and processes acting on the earth today are the same as those that have acted in the geologic past. The present chapter provides an introduction to plate tectonic theory and describes the main deformation patterns of the earths crustal material influencing the surface morphology and landforms. The modern theory of the motions of earths outer layers is called plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics was developed later and explains how and why continents move. These plates move relative to one another above a hotter, deeper, more mobile zone at average rates as great as a. According to the generally accepted plate tectonics theory, scientists believe that earths surface is broken into a number of shifting slabs or plates, which average about 50 miles in thickness.
Earths lithosphere is broken into separate sections called plates. Developed from the 1950s through the 1970s, plate tectonics is the modern version of continental drift, a theory first proposed by scientist alfred wegener in 1912. The space and time behaviour of the constructal plate. The theory of plate tectonics states that the crust lithosphere is broken into 16 big slabs called plates.
Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology cornerstone of earthsystem approach. The theory of plate tectonics combine which two other theories. In 1967, mckenzie and parker suggested the theory of plate tectonics. Wegeners theory and sea floor maps were used to develop the theory of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the most important concept in modern geology.
Seafloor spreading helps explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics. New oceanic crust is formed through magma rising through the gap and cooling. Evidence from fossils, glaciers, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how the. The theory of plate tectonics by jennifer herber on prezi.
We have a hypothesis of the general mechanics, but there might be pieces of data that do not fit the overall principle. In the mid 1900s, scientists discovered that the rock near oceanic mountain ridges was much younger than the rock further away. According to the now generally accepted plate tectonics theory, scientists believe that the earths surface is broken into a number of shifting slabs or plates, which average about 50 miles in thickness. Over time, the plates move and morph into natural land boundaries. Details major plates and how the theory helps predicts earthquakes. Plate tectonics is a good example of how the science community collects evidence and then continuously tests the theory. The rigid lithosphere is split into 15 major plates that slowly move on. The constructal theory can be used to explain why the presentday configuration of plates is optimal for the earths mantle flow dynamics as the surface plate motions are indeed representative of the largescale convective flow in the mantle. The theory of plate tectonics neshaminy school district. Principally it refers to the movement and interaction of the earths lithosphere. The theory of plate tectonics key concepts what is the theory of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics conclusion plate tectonics is the grand, unifying theory of earth sciences, combining the concepts of continental drift and seafloor spreading into one holistic theory that explains many of the major structural features of the earths surface. A comprehensive database of more than 52 plate tectonics quizzes online, test your knowledge with plate tectonics quiz questions.
In plate tectonic theory, the lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates, which undergo some large scale motions. Plate tectonics the earths crust is divided into plates which are moved in various directions. Since the development of the theory, geologists have had to reexamine almost every aspect of. Plate tectonics has proven to be as important to the earth sciences as the discovery of the structure of the atom was to physics and chemistry and the theory of evolution was to the life sciences. Interactive textbook 125 plate tectonics section 3 name class date the theory of plate tectonics continued why do tectonic plates move. According to the theory of continental drift, the world was made up of a single continent through most of geologic time. History of plate tectonics plate tectonic theory had its beginnings in 1915 when alfred wegener proposed his theory of continental drift. The first ever accurate world maps and found fossils.
The theory, or idea, of plate tectonics says that earths outer layer is made up of large, moving pieces called plates. It provides a framework for understanding many of earths features, such as mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes, as well as the distribution of fossils and the ages of rocks. Using examples, explain the theory of plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. Teaching tectonics teaching plate tectonics with easytodraw illustrations is fun and effective. Plate tectonics is the grand, unifying theory of earth sciences, combining the concepts of continental drift and seafloor spreading into one holistic theory that explains many of the major structural features of the earths surface. The theory has caused a revolution in the way we think about the earth. On solid ground students will read the passage on their own and then with their table partner answer a series of questions related to the development of wegeners theory of plate tectonics. Some life rode on diverging plates, became isolated, and evolved into new species. Plate tectonics, or plate movements, have changed the way geologists think about the. Chapter 1 plate tectonics power point linkedin slideshare. Jan 28, 2017 theory of plate tectonics was established by alfred wegener. Evidence from fossils, glaciers, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how the plates once fit together.
The concept of plate tectonics was formulated in the 1960s. Along spreading centers in the sea floor, melted rock rises through cracks, cools, and. Continental drift, in the context of the modern theory of plate tectonics, is explained by the movement of lithospheric plates over the asthenosphere the molten, ductile, upper portion of the earths mantle. What evidence did alfred wegener use to support the theory of continental drift. A plate can comprise both oceanic and continental lithosphere. Plate tectonics it was from the continental drift theory, convection current theory and the theory of seafloor spreading, the theory of plate tectonics was formulated. What is plate tectonics the earths crust and upper mantle are broken into. In the wake of constructal theory, constructal design is a method which permits to obtain the best geometrical configuration of flow currents in the system.
The earth surface has continuously been changing ever since it was formed, especially regarding the geomorphological and geological phenomena. More than two dozen scientists, including women such as tanya atwater and marie tharp, did the key work that created the theory of plate tectonics as we know it explaining continental drift. The outlines of the continents flanking the atlantic ocean are so similar that their correspondence was apparent as soon as accurate maps became available. Earths surface is made up of rigid slabs of rock, or plates, which move with respect to each other constant motion tectonic. Plate tectonics describes the distribution and motion of the plates.
Plate tectonics plate tectonics development of tectonic theory. Mar 21, 2020 plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shell that revolutionized earth sciences by providing a uniform context for understanding mountainbuilding processes, volcanoes, and earthquakes as well as the evolution of earths surface and reconstructing its past continents and oceans. Plate tectonics is the theory used to explain the structure of the earths crust and many of the associated phenomenon. Under the plates is a weaker layer of partially melted rock. Alfred wegener created the idea of continental drift and wrote the origin of continents and oceans to support his idea. A quick overview of plate tectonics, including a look at the different types of plate boundaries. Under this hypothesis, the asthenosphere is defined by an active process, plate tectonics, which maintains it and is maintained by it and plate tectonics is part of an emergent, selfsustaining. Which theory was revised to obtain the theory of plate. Extending it to a dynamic theory became an active research line soon after the plate tectonics revolution.
Plate tectonics is the theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena. His ideas have been scientifically proven as time goes on. The theory of plate tectonics grew out of earlier hypotheses and observations collected during exploration of the rocks of the ocean floor. Seafloor spreading occurs at divergent plate boundaries which subsequently create midocean ridges.
Plate tectonics the theory of plate tectonics this section explains how the lithosphere is broken into separate sections that move. In geophysics, the constructal law was offered as theoretical basis for plate tectonics 76, beach sand and slope 77, the scaling laws of river basins 78 see also 45, and the evolution of. The theory of plate tectonics explains the formation, movement, and subduction of earths plates. The theory of plate tectonics explains how plates and their continents move. Jan 23, 2020 plate tectonics is the scientific theory that attempts to explain the movements of the earths lithosphere that have formed the landscape features we see across the globe today. This includes the formation, movement, collision and destruction of plates and the resulting geological events such as seismicity, volcanism, continental drift, and. This plate motion causes them to collide, pull apart, or scrape against each other. Locations of earthquakes and volcanoes show the plate boundaries and ocean floor features. Looking at the information you compiled in your chart above, explain one way the theory of plate tectonics can relate to engineering. The theory of plate tectonics describes how the plates move, interact, and change the physical landscape. Nov 14, 2017 which theory was revised to obtain the theory of plate tectonics. These plates move relative to one another above a hotter, deeper, more mobile zone at average rates as great as a few inches per year.
Plate tectonics theory is still being as scientists learn more about how earths tectonic plates move. The structure of the earth, plate tectonics and landforms. The lithosphere lithosphere is comprised of the upper mantle and the crust, the outer shell of the earth. Plate motion reconstructions show that the geometry and plate motions are evolving slowly and probably maintain a lowest relative toroidal power through time. The theory of plate tectonics geology lumen learning. We cannot make a mathematical nor real model of plate tectonics. You will recall from a previous chapter that there are three. Constructal law, which is the new development of the first and second laws of thermodynamics and the mentality core of constructal theory, indicates that a system can approach its maximal global. Theory of plate tectonics explains the formation, movement and subduction of earths plates. The theory of plate tectonics helps explain this pattern because the earthquake and volcano belts mark the locations of plate boundaries. Plate tectonics is a defining feature of the earth lepichon, 1968, mckenzie and parker, 1967, morgan, 1968. These boundaries are places where two plates are pushing toward, pulling away, or sliding past each other. According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earths lithosphere is broken into distinct plates which are.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. A middle school lesson on plate tectonics theory for grades 68. Theory of plate tectonics plate tectonics plate boundaries causes of plate tectonics. Geometric optimization of a convective tshaped cavity on the.
A continental drift theory b midatlantic ridge theory c pangea theory d seafloor 7070302. These smaller, broken plates form a more fluid rock surface in the mantle. Each plate moves over earths mantle and changes position with respect to other plates. The theory of plate tectonics critique and interpret major types of evidence supporting the theory of plate tectonics. The plate tectonics gizmo shows a crosssection, or side view, of earth. The theory of plate tectonics, as formulated, is a kinematic one. The earth is composed of layers of different composition and physical properties, principally the solid central core, the fluid peripheral core, the viscous mantle, and the solid. Plate boundaries and interplate relationships s ynopsis of p late t ectonic t heory p late tectonics is the theory that the outer rigid layer of the earth the lithosphere is divided into a couple of dozen plates that move around across the earths surface relative to each other, like slabs of ice on a lake. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics plate tectonics is a theory developed in the late 1960s, to explain how the outer layers of the earth move and deform. Wegener proposed that the continents plowed through crust of ocean basins, which would explain why the outlines of many coastlines like south america and africa look like they fit together like a puzzle.
The surface of the earth is divided into a number of rigid plates that extend from the surface to the base of the lithosphere. As plates move, the new crust gradually moves away from the ridge. The constructal theory is covariant the shape is changing in relation to the flow as is plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics states that earths surface is divided into rigid plates of rock. The theory of plate tectonics activityworksheet 3 volcanoes 8. Constructal theory of distribution of river sizes request pdf.
Theory of plate tectonics earth science lumen learning. The boundary regions between plates are called plate boundaries. Geologists use this word to describe the forces that shape earths surface and the rock structures that form as a result. To understand plate tectonics, the different ways of classifying the layers of the earthby composition and by mechanical behaviormust be kept in mind. Plate tectonics is the theory that the outer rigid layer of the earth the lithosphere is divided into a couple of dozen plates that move around across the earths surface relative to each other, like slabs of ice on a lake. Scientists do not know for sure what causes tectonic plates to move. How the constructal law governs evolution in biology, physics, technology, and social organizations at. Strain builds up along plate boundaries, and when the strain becomes too great, fractures form and. The drawing above is a cross section of the earth showing the components that lie within plate tectonic theory. The theory of plate tectonics wenatchee valley college.
Plate tectonics, our major paradigm for how the earth works, was established in the 1960ies following decades of observational research that culminated in key discoveries such as geomagnetic reversals, midocean ridges, transform faults, and seafloor spreading. Each type of interaction causes a characteristic set of earth structures or tectonic features. Indeed, using particular objective and constraints allows to determine the optimal architecture of flows. The theory of plate tectonics states that the earths surface, the upper mantle and crust, was once made up of enormous rock plates that broke into smaller pieces approximately 300 million years ago. The earliest references to this similarity were made in 1596 by flemish cartographer abraham ortelius and later in 1620 by the english philosopher francis bacon, in his. Modern continents hold clues to their distant past. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics. When a plate sinks below another plate, it pulls on the rest of the plate, exerting a force called. Plate tectonics development of tectonic theory britannica.
Terms in this set 17 state the theory of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics theory, diagrams, boundaries geology. Theory highlights plates float on top of the asthenosphere. Describes the theory of plate tectonics and how the theory has changed the way geologists think about the earth. The theory of plate tectonics tek tahn iks states that pieces of earths lithosphere are in slow, const ant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle. Fossils tell us when and where plants and animals once existed. The layer beneath the lithosphere is the weak, soft asthenosphere, which is roughly 300 to 400 km thick. These plates are floating on magma and moving around as a result. Earths geography has changed through time and continues to change today.
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