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. For geology plate tectonics is similar in importance as the discovery of dna is to biology plate tectonics helps explain earthquakes. Plate tectonics refers to the formation and migration of these lithospheric. The theory of plate tectonics attributes the movement of massive sections of the earths outer. Tectonics of the terrestrial planets the three types of plate boundaries hot spots and mantle plumes plate movement and motion the driving mechanism of plate tectonics plate tectonics and the distribution of natural resources geofocus. Plate tectonics provides a single unifying theory for understanding the dynamics of earth as everything about earth is mostly related either directly or indirectly to. In this unit, we will examine the search for a mechanism and how it was resolved and tested. The generation of plate tectonics from mantle convection.
A solid understanding of the basic tenets of this theory is crucial in developing a scienti. The earth is composed of layers of different composition and physical properties, principally the. Depending on the material they travel through, the waves may either speed up, slow down, bend, or even stop if they cannot penetrate the material they encounter. Plate tectonicsthe unifying theory of geology geology u. It affects all of us because it explains where and why such natural disasters as earthquakes. We now know that, directly or indirectly, plate tectonics influences nearly all geologic processes, past and present. Can someone help me with this earth science question please.
Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and has revolutionized geology. Plate tectonics unifying theory plate tectonics describe movement of continental and oceanic plates and forces driving them. Choose from 500 different sets of tectonics theory plate unifying flashcards on quizlet. 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. It explains why the oceanic lithosphere is never older than about 180 ma and why only. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology, the framework into which are fitted all other explanations of largescale geological phenomena. Plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shellthe lithospherethat 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. The earth surface has continuously been changing ever since it was formed, especially regarding the geomorphological and geological phenomena.
Theory called plate tectonics plates move relative to one another plates float on semiliquid upper mantle like pool floaties. A unifying theory what are the main tenets of plate tectonic theory. Like the scientists before us, we will now merge the ideas of continental drift and seafloor spreading into the theory of plate tectonics. Plate tectonic theory is widely accepted because it explains so many geologic phenomena, including volcanism, seismicity, mountain building, climatic changes, animal and plant distributions in the past and present, and the distributions of natural resources. A unifying theory introduction plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology considerable geologic, paleontologic, and climatologic evidence is used to support the theory three types of plate boundaries are recognized interior processes are involved in plate movement what were some of the early ideas about continental drift. Although geologists treat it as a law plate tectonics is still and will likely remain a theory. In the last century a solution formed based on the accumulation of data from a variety of sources and the theory of plate tectonics was developed. Plate tectonics map of the world, showing plates, boundaries, boundary types and more. Alternative conceptions of plate tectonics held by nonscience undergraduates scott k. A unifying theory it is just as if we were to refit the torn pieces of a.
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 generation and twophase damage theory in a model of mantle convection 1067 the lithosphere and mantle undergoes an instantaneous rheological transformation to the rheological properties of the region into which it. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is a unifying theory that states that the earth is composed of lithospheric crustal plates that move slowly, change size, and interact with one another. The hypothesis of continental drift was based on considerable geologic, paleontologic, and climatologic evidence. The outer portion of the earth is made up of about 20 distinct plates 100 km thick, which move relative to each other this motion is what causes earthquakes and makes mountain ranges plate tectonics integrates evidence from many branches of science. Plate tectonics the unifying concept of the earth sciences. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology. The theory of plate tectonics is the conceptual model through which most dynamic processes on earth are understood. Learn tectonics theory plate unifying with free interactive flashcards. It tells how the surface of the earth is formed and changes. Two major premises of plate tectonics are as follows. Plate tectonicsthe unifying theory of geology geology. When two plates come together, one plate is pushed or pulled under the other plate, triggering large earthquakes such as the one that shook india in 2001, iran in 2003, and pakistan in 2005.
A global study of plate tectonics as a unifying solidearth theory, which explains continental and oceanic geology of the past and present. The driving mechanism of plate tectonics plate tectonics and the distribution of natural resources geofocus. Plate tectonic theory is the unifying theory of geology. It explains locations of mountain chains, earthquakes, rock assemblages, and structures on sea floor. Plate tectonics has been hailed as the grand unifying principle of geology, although its success at explaining a multitude of geological and geophysical phenomena has overshadowed the e. Experiencing, listening to the extra experience, adventuring, studying, training, and more practical happenings may back you to improve.
The unifying theory continental drift large scale movement of continents eduard suess austrian geologist gondwanaland alfred wegener 1915 german meteorologist recovering from wwi wounds wrote a book in hospital pangea. It has become the major unifying theory in geology to explain global change. Plate tectonics 1 plate tectonics the grand unifying theory tectonics study of the origin and arrangement of broad structural features of earths surface. How many major crustal plates form the lithosphere. Alfred wegener and the continental drift hypothesis.
Theory of suspect terranes the idea that the continents are a patchwork of terranes each with its own unique geologic history. When a plate sinks below another plate, it pulls on the rest of the plate, exerting a force called. The idea that continents have moved in the past is not new. Teaching tectonics teaching plate tectonics with easytodraw illustrations is fun and effective. So how did the theory of plate tectonics develop and become accepted, because scientists didnt always think this about our earth. Although plate tectonics is a relatively young idea in comparison with unifying theories from other sciences e. Nov 22, 2010 think back to the definition of unifying theories. In the early 1960s, the emergence of the theoryof plate tectonicsstarted a revolution in the earth sciences. Plate tectonics is a relatively new, wellsupported scientific theory that helps explain earths landforms, catastrophic events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and other. Plate tectonics is crucial to our understanding about how all earth processes happen from the rock cycle to the building of mountains to volcanoes, to earthquakes, and more a unifying theory is the main theory that explains how a whole group of natural phenomenon come about. In 2017, the geological society of londons william smith meeting celebrated this historical occasion, perhaps with a touch of selfcongratulation, but with little discussion of alternative ideas. Iceland is one of the few places where this process can be seen on land. Plate tectonics is the most important paradigm in geology. Plate tectonics is the theory that unified all the puzzling data from early observations, accounted for the movement of the plates of the earth, and gave a mechanism for how the plates actually.
Why is plate tectonics a unifying theory of geology. It is the unifying theory that relates the formation of mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, the differences between the ocean basins and continents to a understandable and predictable global process. Bookmark file pdf theory of plate tectonics answer key 9 theory of plate tectonics answer key 9. Plate generation and twophase damage theory in a model of. The hypothesis of seafloor spreading accounts for continental movement, and the idea. The paper will not go into detail a bout the reasons put forward to. Early maps showing the similarity between the east coast of south america and the west coast of africa provided people with the first evidence that the continents may. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory in geolo gy. For these reasons, it is known as a unifying theory. Earths geography has changed through time and continues to change today. Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the largescale motion of seven large plates and the movements of a larger number of smaller plates of the earths lithosphere. They are part of the dynamic interactions involving earths plates. L1 advanced readers plate motions point out that the arrows in figure 20 show the direction of plate motion.
The theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that. Wilson then unified the ideas of wegener and hess into the plate tectonic theory. The platetectonic theory, which embraces both continental drift and seafloor. Describe how you think plate tectonics is the unifying principle of geology. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and has.
Plate tectonic theory is considered a unifying theory because. This unit engages students in an indepth, studentdirected investigation and several guided inquiries to discover, test, and use the theory of plate tectonics. A system is a group of individual yet interdependent components that interact to form a unified entity and are under the. 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. Recent research in plate tectonics and relevance to the new national curriculum. Since plate tectonics is able to explain all these things, and these things happen under the plate tectonic theory of plates in the earth moving around, its called a unifying theory or a paradigm. Plate tectonics idea that the earths surface is divided into a few large, thick plates that move slowly and change in size through time. Continental drift and the development of plate tectonic theory. The boundary between the two regions is a noslip surface such that stresses transmitted from the newtonian layer to. Plate tectonics theory is still being as scientists learn more about how earths tectonic plates move. Early maps showing the similarity between the east coast of south america and the west coast of africa provided people with the first evidence that the continents may once have been united and subsequently split apart. The theory of plate tectonics is a recent development in the geological sciences.
How do plate tectonics explain things like earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain buildings, past climate, the locations of the continents, the sizes of the oceans, and other such features of earth. The unifying theory continental drift seafloor spreading plate subduction transform faulting types of plate bounda. Ever since the first maps of the atlantic ocean were made in the 16th century. This theory was amalgamated from a variety of studies that began in the early 20th century and culminated in the 1960s. Then have them reread to identify observations that the theory of plate tectonics explains. In fact, prior to plate tectonic theory, if we go back 80 or 90 years, there was no consensus in earth science about how the major features of the earth developed. Theory of plate tectonics earth science lumen learning. The plate is pushed by the formation of new ocean crust and pulled by the subduction of old ocean crust. Pdf palaeogeography is the cartographic representation of the past. With seafloor spreading, the continents and oceanic crust move together as part of large plates. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized. 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. Alternative conceptions of plate tectonics held by nonscience. In what way is the theory of plate tectonics the unifying principle of geology.
By definition, the word plate in geologic terms means a large slab of solid rock. Alternative conceptions of plate tectonics held by. Frank press raymond siever john grotzinger thomas h. This outlines the nature of the oceanic lithosphere and discusses the evidence for large scale faulting being responsible for sea floor spreading at slower spreading centres, such as in the atlantic ocean a very large powerpoint file. 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. Pdf a historical account of how continental drift and plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics geology lumen learning. Many students of geology are taught how mantle convection drives plate.
Central to the theory of plate tectonics is the concept of. These slabs are called tectonic plates and fit together like pieces to a puzzle. The rigid lithosphere is split into 15 major plates that slowly move on. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Plate tectonics discussion if you finish your discussion you may scroll down to the bottom of this page and watch the video natural disaster historys most. Plate tectonics is the grand, unifying theory of earth sciences, combining the concepts of continental drift and seafloor spreading into one holistic theory that. Plate tectonics thus provides the big picture of geology. The theory of plate tectonics is a unifying theory for geology. A new unifying and general theory in geomorphology. Plate tectonics the theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains earths geological processes. The geoscientific community accepted platetectonic theory after seafloor spreading was validated in the early 1960s.
Plate tectonics theory, diagrams, boundaries geology. Plate tectonics is a unifying model that attempts to explain the origin of patterns of deformation in the crust, earthquake distribution, supercontinents, and midocean ridges and that provides a mechanism for the earth to cool. In this plate tectonic framework, large scale deformation is the local response 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 unifying theorythis paper contains 20pages plate tectonics. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology cornerstone of earthsystem approach. Plate tectonic theory is supported by diverse lines of evidence from many scientific disciplines, such as geology and biology, and it explains many seemingly unrelated geological phenomena. Plate tectonics is the theory used to explain the structure of the earths crust and many of the associated phenomenon. Theory that states that earths outer layer lithosphere is broken up into large, slowly moving pieces called tectonic plates or lithospheric plates. Oil, plate tectonics, and politics plate tectonics and the distribution of life georecap objectives at the end of this chapter, you will have learned that plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and has. We live on a layer of earth known as the lithosphere which is a collection of rigid slabs that are shifting and sliding into each other. Plate tectonics have students team read pages 158 and 159 to. The theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains earths geological processes. Jordan4 abstract the theory of plate tectonics is the conceptual model through which most dynamic processes on earth are understood.
888 40 1442 1140 754 23 26 1610 461 1369 598 1319 1494 58 252 276 281 1482 270 90 223 1367 184 1131 257 735 1094 518 1521 909 1546 774 1055 944 1486 228 82 172 1322 1078 688 895 265 764 1361 200 1241