Plate Tectonic Theory

surface Tectonic Theory A revolution in geology began about 100 years ago with the hypothesis that the continents restrain non always been in their boon-day positions after the breakup of a supercontinent sleep togethern as Pangaea. But the evidence of continental skanky up included the fit between the coastlines of continents is stronger when the fits is made along the unbent edge of the continent. In addition, geologic feature such(prenominal)(prenominal) as mountain ranges, ancient glacial deposits, and rock types be precise closely on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, which know separates these continents. twinned fossils can be found on both sides of the ocean. some are from plants and animals that could not have crossed a liberal body of water and that could have thrived at different at different latitudes than the present location of the fossil. According to home tectonics, the lithosphere has fragmented into several large domiciles. These plat es essentially drown on an underlying layer of hot, ductile rock called the asthenosphere. The asthenosphere is in slow, only constant, motion and this forces the more rigid lithospheric plates to move around, collide, distinguish apart, or slide past each other. At present in that location are six major lithospheric plates and many another(prenominal) smaller ones.

Plate tectonics unifies the processes of continental drift, seafloor spreading, mountain building, faulting, earthquakes, and volcanism into the tectonic round of golf. The tectonic cycle creates and recycles oceanic crust on a time case of rou ghly 200 one thousand thousand years. Cont! inental crust lasts very much longer, and its recycling involves processes such as weathering and erosion. The release of heat from Earths midland creates huge convection cells, which are at least partly creditworthy for driving plate motion. Convection brings hot rock up from deeply in the cover and recycles cold rock back into the mantle. umpteen unanswered questions bide about convection cells; for example, hot rock alike rises in plumes that do not seem to be...If you want to own a upright essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

If you want to get a full essay, visit our page: write my paper