The theory has caused a revolution in the way we think about the earth. Some life rode on diverging plates, became isolated, and evolved into new species. Ocean basinsoceanic crust are continually being created and destroyed through tectonic processes. However, the physics of plate tectonics is poorly understood. Modern continents hold clues to their distant past. In the early 1900s alfred wegener proposed the continents were drifting.
The theory of plate tectonics explains the formation, movement, and subduction of earths plates. Like the scientists before us, we will now merge the ideas of continental drift and seafloor spreading into the theory of plate tectonics. Although hapgoods theory of earth crust displacement attempts to answer unsolved mysteries in cartography and archaeology through geologic means, the evidence for the theory itself is lacking in validity, and instead of providing a geologically sound addition to plate tectonics, the theory posed is riddled by logical and factual gaps. The theory of plate tectonics activityworksheet 3 volcanoes 8. The theory of plate tectonics key concepts what is the theory of plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the lithosphere is divided into a series of plates that fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. We would like to propose a catastrophic plate tectonics theory as a framework for earth history. According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earths lithosphere is broken into distinct plates which are. 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. Toward an integrated physical and chemical theory paul j. The plates jostle with each other, some hit each other head on, some go. If the earths core provides the heat that drives plate tectonics, then what will eventually happen as the earths core cools down over billions of years. 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.
Notes on plate tectonics plate tectonics states that the earths crust and upper mantle are broken into sections, called plates. Central to the theory of plate tectonics is the concept of. The drawing above is a cross section of the earth showing the components that lie within plate tectonic theory. Looking at the information you compiled in your chart above, explain one way the theory of plate tectonics can relate to engineering. The earth surface has continuously been changing ever since it was formed, especially regarding the geomorphological and geological phenomena. Nov 29, 2012 a brief introduction to alfred wegeners theory of continental drift, which would lay the groundwork for the development of plate tectonic theory, which essentially explains the geology of the.
The theory of plate tectonics links earths internal processes to the distribution of continents and oceans. The earths crust and part of the upper mantle are broken into sections, called plates which move on a plasticlike layer of the mantle. Then have them reread to identify observations that the theory of plate tectonics explains. Geosynclinal theory the emergence and evolution of plate. New crustal plate is formed at the midocean ridges and old crustal plate is destroyed at deep ocean trenches. Indeed, the notion that the entire earths surface is continually shifting has profoundly changed the way we view our world. Plate tectonics is the surface manifestation of mantle convection, but the large contrast in viscosities between the lithosphere and the deeper mantle leads to departures from a simple boiling pot. Each type of interaction causes a characteristic set of earth structures or tectonic features. 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. Plate tectonics thus provides the big picture of geology.
The theory of plate tectonics states that the earths solid outer crust, the lithosphere, is separated into plates that move over the asthenosphere, the molten upper portion of the mantle. Plate tectonics the tectonic plates of the world were mapped in the second half of the 20th century. Catastrophic plate tectonics theories, such as snider proposed more than a century ago, appear capable of explaining a wide variety of dataincluding biblical and geologic data which the slow tectonics theories are incapable of explaining. Seafloor spreading occurs at divergent plate boundaries which subsequently create midocean ridges. Plate movement that produces stress in rock, which leads to a change in the rocks shape or. Tectonic plates are composed of oceanic lithosphere and. The greatest revolution in 20th century understanding of how our planet works, known as plate tectonics, happened in the 1960s, and has been so profound that it can be likened to the huge advances in physics that followed einsteins theory of relativity.
Plate tectonics pt plate tectonics is the movement of lithospheric plates relative to each other. The earths crust is divided into plates which are moved in various directions. Plate tectonics describes the distribution and motion of the plates. The earths plates jostle about in fits and starts that are punctuated with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Explain why the term recycling is an excellent description of plate tectonics.
Dec 16, 2019 plate tectonics pt plate tectonics is the movement of lithospheric plates relative to each other. 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. 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. Wegner was a german geophysicist and meteorologist who in 1912 hypothesized that the worlds continents were moving.
Plates are composed of the crust and a part of the upper mantle, these two parts together are called the lithosphere. For more information on how to use these and other tools, see appendix a. We now know that, directly or indirectly, plate tectonics influences nearly. At plate boundaries, plates collide, move apart, move under or over each other, or slide past one another. In addition, the diving plate melts and is often spewed out in. Explain how tectonic plate movement could create another supercontinent like pangaea. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of the earth how did the theory develop.
New oceanic crust is formed through magma rising through the gap and cooling. The following website contains a more detailed and lesson plans on plate tectonics, geodesy, and vlbi. Ret 2006, rev 2 7 introduction to plate tectonic theory, geodesy, and vlbi the plate tectonic theory is a relatively new, accepted only around 50 years ago. The drawing above is a cross section of the earth showing the. Dec 17, 2019 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. Plate tectonics information and facts national geographic.
Continental drift and the development of plate tectonic theory. Plate tectonic theory recognizes that the lithosphere is broken into plates, jigsawlike pieces of various sizes. The theory of plate tectonics grew out of earlier hypotheses and observations collected during exploration of the rocks of the ocean floor. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics describes how the plates move, interact, and change the physical landscape. They are boundaries along which adjoining sections of the earths crust move. A neoproterozoic transition from single lid to plate tectonics also explains kimberlite ages, the neoproterozoic climate crisis and the neoproterozoic acceleration of evolution. Choose from 232 different sets of 7th grade science chapter 7 plate tectonics theory flashcards on quizlet.
Earths lithosphere is broken into separate sections called plates. 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. Although plate tectonics is a relatively young idea in comparison with unifying theories from other sciences e. Oceanic and continental plates come together, spread apart, and interact at boundaries all over the planet.
As plates move, the new crust gradually moves away from the ridge. Convection current theory cct convection current theory forms the basis of sfst and pt. Plate tectonic theory both hesss discovery and wegners continental drift theory combined into what scientists now call the plate tectonic theory. Seafloor spreading helps explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is a theory developed in the late 1960s, to explain how. 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 plates are mobile, moving in constant, slow motion measured in rates of centimeters per year. Theory of plate tectonics advances in technology in the 1960s led to the development of the theory of plate tectonics which validated but improved upon wegeners earlier theory of continental drift. The plate tectonics theory and mantle plume concept thus complement each other to ex plain much of the whole picture of earth processes and phenomena. L1 advanced readers plate motions point out that the arrows in figure 20 show the direction of plate motion. This plate motion causes them to collide, pull apart, or scrape against each other. Chapter 1 from continental drift to plate tectonics naomi oreskes since the l6th century, cartographers have noticed the jigsawpuzzle fit of the continental edges. The continents are carried on some of these plates. Geological understanding of plate tectonics durham university.
From continental drift to plate tectonics 7 and therefore they could not sink to become ocean basins. Since the development of the theory, geologists have had to reexamine almost every aspect of. When the concept of seafloor spreading came along, scientists recognized that it was the mechanism to explain how continents could move around earths surface. The crust is made up of six major plates and a number of minor ones. Tackley plate tectonics and convection of the solid, rocky mantle are responsible for transporting heat out of earth. Be able to describe the general distribution of fold mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes be able to explain how the distribution of fold mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes is related to movements at plate boundaries. The lithosphere lithosphere is comprised of the upper mantle and the. Plate tectonic theory arose out of the hypothesis of continental drift proposed by alfred.
In 1967, mckenzie and parker suggested the theory of plate tectonics. 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 the earths crust is divided into plates which are moved in various directions. Geomorphology and plate tectonics geogem note 2 boundaries of the geomorphic provinces that we deine in this report as coastline. Plate tectonics is the most important concept in modern geology. We live on a dynamic earth, in which about twenty 60mile thick lithospheric plates move about on the fluid upper mantle. Theory of continental drift proposed by alfred wegener in 1912, but not widely accepted until seafloor spreading was discovered in 1960. The collision between two pieces of continental crust at a convergent boundary produces a mountain range. Plate tectonics reveals that the lithosphere is divided into eight major pieces plates with several smaller plates fig. Introduction to plate tectonic theory, geodesy, and vlbi. Continental drift theory alfred wegener, 1922 plate tectonics breakup of pangea.
Plate tectonics is a theory developed in the late 1960s, to explain how the outer layers of the. Fossils tell us when and where plants and animals once existed. The major mountainbuilding idea that was supported from the 19 th century and into the 20 th is the geosynclinal theory. You will recall from a previous chapter that there are three. We now know that, directly or indirectly, plate tectonics influences nearly all geologic processes, past and present. New crustal plate is formed at the midocean ridges and. 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. Jul 31, 2016 a middle school lesson on plate tectonics theory for grades 68. A brief introduction to alfred wegeners theory of continental drift, which would lay the groundwork for the development of plate tectonic theory, which essentially explains the geology of the. A middle school lesson on plate tectonics theory for grades 68. What are the 2 types of crust found on earths surface. 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.
Learn 7th grade science chapter 7 plate tectonics theory with free interactive flashcards. Plate tectonics is a theory developed in the late 1960s, to explain how the outer layers of the earth move and deform. Plate tectonics one of the major questions with the theory of continental drift is how does it work. The fundamental concepts for geosynclinal theory were introduced in james halls presidential address for the geological society of america at the meeting of the american association for the advancement of science at montreal in 1857 knopf, 649. The theory of plate tectonics combine which two other theories.
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. Plate tectonics is the surface manifestation of mantle convection, but the large contrast in viscosities between the lithosphere and the deeper mantle leads to departures from a simple boiling pot analogy. 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. According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earths surface is divided into rigid. The layer below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology cornerstone of earthsystem approach. Plate tectonicsthe unifying theory of geology geology.
Geomorphology and plate tectonics geogem note 2 that term. Evidence from fossils, glaciers, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how the. The key principle of plate tectonics is that the lithosphere exists as separate and distinct tectonic plates, which ride on the. History edward suess edward suess was an, austrian geologist, in the late 1800s, proposed the southern continents had once been joined together in a single landmass.
Evidence from fossils, glaciers, and complementary coastlines helps reveal how the plates once fit together. The plate tectonics gizmo shows a crosssection, or side view, of earth. Plate tectonicsthe unifying theory of geology geology u. You will recall from a previous chapter that there are three major layers crust, mantle, core within the earth that are. Third, and most fundamental, physicists discovered radiogenic heat, which contradicted the basic assumption of contraction theory that the earth was steadily cooling. Development of plate tectonic theory timeline preceden. Plate tectonics have students team read pages 158 and 159 to. A place where two plates slip past each other, moving in opposite directions is a transform boundary. Tectonic theories attempt to explain why mountains, earthquakes, and. This plate motion causes them to collide, pull apart, or scrape. Plate tectonic theory recognizes that the lithosphere is broken into plates, jigsaw like pieces of various sizes. The theory of plate tectonics the topic of plate tectonics is largely based on alfred wegners theory of continental drift.
The theory of plate tectonics critique and interpret major types of evidence supporting the theory of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shell that revolutionized earth sciences by providing a uniform context for. Since the development of the theory, geologists have had to reexamine almost every aspect of geology. However, because he could not prove his theory, it was not accepted until the 1950s.
From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia plate tectonics from greek, tekton. The theory of plate tectonics geology lumen learning. 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. The new model of horizontal movement of the continents was called plate tectonics. In the early 1960s, the emergence of the theoryof plate tectonicsstarted a revolution in the earth sciences. The structure of the earth, plate tectonics and landforms.
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