Plate Tectonic Theory

surface Tectonic Theory A revolution in geology began about 100 years ago with the hypothesis that the continents make up non always been in their present tense-day positions after the breakup of a supercontinent existn as Pangaea. But the evidence of continental black up included the fit between the coastlines of continents is stronger when the fits is made on the unbent edge of the continent. In addition, geologic feature such(prenominal) as mountain ranges, ancient glacial deposits, and rock types watch precise closely on twain sides of the Atlantic Ocean, which know separates these continents. twinned fossils can be found on both sides of the ocean. some atomic number 18 from plants and animals that could not have crossed a liberal body of water and that could have thrived at assorted at different latitudes than the present location of the fossil. According to photographic coat architectonics, the lithosphere has fragmented into several large pl ates. These plates essentially float 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, binge apart, or slide past each other. At present in that location are six major lithospheric plates and numerous 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 roughly 2 00 one thousand million years. Continenta! l 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 pall and recycles cold rock back into the mantle. umpteen unanswered questions persevere about convection cells; for example, hot rock alike rises in plumes that do not seem to be...If you want to own a ample essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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