Exploring plate tectonics, this overview discusses the movement of Earth's lithosphere, composed of tectonic plates over the asthenosphere. It delves into the creation of oceanic and continental crust, the dynamics of mantle convection, and the role of subduction in recycling crustal materials. The types of plate boundaries—divergent, convergent, and transform—are linked to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation, shaping Earth's surface.
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Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains the movement of Earth's tectonic plates
The theory of plate tectonics evolved from the concept of continental drift
The theory of plate tectonics was solidified with the discovery of seafloor spreading in the mid-20th century
There are seven major and several minor tectonic plates that make up Earth's lithosphere
Tectonic plates are composed of both oceanic and continental lithosphere, each with its own distinctive type of crust
The movement of tectonic plates is primarily driven by heat from the Earth's interior causing mantle convection
The lithosphere is rigid and conducts heat, while the asthenosphere is more ductile and convects heat
The lithosphere conducts heat, while the asthenosphere convects heat
The lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates that float atop the asthenosphere, which allows for their movement and interaction
Divergent boundaries, where plates move apart, result in the formation of new crust and mid-ocean ridges
Convergent boundaries, where plates move toward one another, can lead to subduction zones or mountain-building processes
Transform boundaries, where plates slide horizontally past each other, are marked by seismic activity and strike-slip faults
00
The theory of ______ explains the movement of Earth's lithosphere, which consists of major and minor ______ plates.
plate tectonics
tectonic
01
Originally stemming from the idea of ______ drift, the theory was further developed after the discovery of ______ spreading in the mid-20th century.
continental
seafloor
02
Plate boundaries can be ______, ______, or ______, leading to various geological phenomena.
convergent
divergent
transform
