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. Earth sciences earth sciences the theory of plate tectonics. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Many earth processes make more sense when viewed through the lens of plate tectonics. See more ideas about plate tectonics, earth and earth science. Earth science chapter 9 plate tectonics flashcards quizlet. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Subduction processes during plate convergence result in the formation of volcanoes.
The creation of new oceanic crust at midocean ridges is called seafloor spreading. Plate tectonics has revolutionized virtually every discipline of the earth sciences since the late 1960s and early 1970s. Earths geography has changed through time and continues to change today. Most geologic earth is the only planet in the solar system with plate tectonics. Descriptions of famous earthquakes and volcanoes help contextualize the staggering power of the earth s motion. It is at these plate boundaries that most volcanic activity occurs. Plate boundary types, plate boundaries are the edges where two plates meet. Watch videos to show you how to create an interactive book showing our dynamic earth. Feb 25, 2015 igcse plate tectonics and weathering made for students. Provide students with copies of map sheets figure 1 photocopied on heavy paper card stock, each with a number of frames f1 to f20. In this article we shall discuss the evidence for hotspots and what, if anything, they can tell us about plate tectonics.
Slip on faults that define the plate boundaries commonly results in earthquakes. A sixteenpage comic book about the earths magnetic field. Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the largescale motion of seven large plates and. Choose from 500 different sets of tectonics earth plate chapter 8 flashcards on quizlet. This booklet gives a brief introduction to the concept of plate tectonics and complements the visual and written information in this dynamic planet see further reading, a map published in 1994 by the u. The online edition contains all text from the original book in its. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Atwater, tanya, continental drift and plate tectonics, 20 minutes videotape, 1988. The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs hhmi biointeractive video duration. In the early 1960s, the emergence of the theory of plate tectonics started a revolution in the earth sciences. Be sure to include an illustration that supports the information you are providing. Igcse plate tectonics and weathering made for students. The theory of plate tectonics combines many of the ideas about continental drift originally proposed in 1912 by alfred wegener in germany and seafloor spreading suggested originally by harry hess of.
Frank taylor first proposed this idea in 1910, alexander du toit later in 1937, harry hess explored the geomorphology of the seafloor by ship in 1960s. Earth sciences the theory of plate tectonics britannica. Without them carbon would not be recycled and the earth would overheat, something like venus. Plate tectonics is the framework in which geologists study and understand the inner workings of the earth. Schematic crosssection of the earth illustrating mantle convection usgs. Plate tectonics is a relatively new scientific concept, introduced some 30 years ago, but it has revolutionized our understanding of the dynamic planet upon which we live. Plate tectonic lab a lab worksheet that can go along with the vdoe lesson plan listed above or to create your own lab on plate tectonics. Plate tectonics animations pacific ocean, subduction zone, san andreas fault formation u. Lithosphere the earths crustcrust plus the upper portion of the mantlemantle layer 7. Plate tectonics is a combination of two ideas, seafloor spreading and continental drift. A synopsis of plate tectonics james madison university. Obtain and combine information from books andor other reliable media. It was intended as a companion to the map entitled this dynamic planet, published by the u. This book was originally published in paper form in february 1996 design and.
Travel down through the interior of the earth then back up into the ionosphere to learn how the magnetic field works. When the fundamentals of plate tectonics are explained in any basic geology textbook, it is easy to forget that in the 1960s it was a revolutionary idea that completely transformed earth science. In several places the sea floor is scarred by what are known as aseismic ridges. But learning about it during the last 40 years has given scientists many theoretical tools to understand other planets, even those that circle other stars. Plasienka geological institute, slovak academy of sciences, slovakia keywords. The word tectonics comes from the greek root to build. Review what youve learned about plate tectonics and continental drift. The energy source for plate tectonics is earths internal heat while the forces moving the plates are the ridge push and slab pull gravity forces. While its forerunnerthe theory of continental drifthad its inception as early as the late 16th century, plate tectonics only emerged and matured as a widely accepted theory since the 1960s see this dynamic earth booklet. Plate tectonics informational nonfiction 1,933 words, level y grade 5, lexile 900l. It explains the rock cycle, the origin of earths surface features, and the cause of seismic activity, such as.
The himalayan mountain range dramatically demonstrates one of the most visible and spectacular consequences of plate tectonics. Aug 23, 2017 today, plate tectonics is the unifying theory of the entire field of geology. The descending plate also provides a source of stress as the two plates interact, leading to frequent moderate to strong earthquakes. With detailed diagrams outlining the structure of continental and oceanic crust and the distribution of major plate motion, this book introduces readers to the range of activity that can shape. Geological survey, map distribution, federal center, po box 25286, denver, co 80225, 1888 ask usgs. Igcse plate tectonics and weathering linkedin slideshare. This dynamic earthcontents usgs usgs publications repository. Aug 15, 2010 with detailed diagrams outlining the structure of continental and oceanic crust and the distribution of major plate motion, this book introduces readers to the range of activity that can shape or decimate an entire region. Immediately download the plate tectonics summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for. In geologic terms, a plate is a large, rigid slab of solid rock. Because it is so important in understanding how the world works, plate tectonics is the first topic of discussion in this textbook. An explanation is to be found in plate tectonics, a concept which has revolutionized thinking in the earth sciences in the last 10 years.
Topics include the history and development of the theory, lines of evidence, plate motions and interactions, hotspots, what drives plate motion, and extraterrestrial plate tectonics. Plate tectonics this large unit will focus on the movement of earths lithosphere due to mantle convection and its effects on the earths features and living creatures. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology cornerstone of earthsystem approach. This dynamic eartha usgs website about the story of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the theory supported by a wide range of evidence that considers the earths crust and upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. The lithosphere is divided into a number of large and small plates and the plates are floating on the mantle plate tectonics theoryplate tectonics theory 6.
And why are volcanoes and mountain ranges also found in these zones too. We will begin our discovery of plate tectonics by first studying who, through the years, has contributed to the theory that we now know as plate tectonics. These lessons are based on alfred wegeners pioneering studies that demonstrated that the scattered distribution of certain fossil plants and animals on presentday, widely separated continents would form coherent patterns if the continents are rejoined as the preexisting supercontinent gondwanaland. The devastation wrought by earthquakes and volcanoes often obscures the fact that these destructive forces are also some of the most creative on the planet, birthing planets and other landforms. Geological survey usgs and the smithsonian institution produced the third edition of this dynamic planet. Plate tectonics is the theory that the outer rigid layer of the earth the lithosphere is divided into about a dozen plates that move across the earths surface relative to each other, like slabs of ice on a lake click picture below for a larger version. When dating methods are applied to these, it is invariably found that the volcanic rocks along the ridge are arranged in order of age, with the youngest rocks at one end and successively older rocks as we look further along the ridge. In a nutshell, this theory states that the earths outermost layer is fragmented into a dozen or.
Voyage through time a plate tectonics page 2 of 16 procedure. When the fundamentals of plate tectonics are explained in any basic geology textbook, it is easy to forget that in the 1960s it was a revolutionary idea. Paleomap project continental drift and plate tectonics from nasa. The theory of plate tectonics has been widely accepted for the last forty years, but it has taken about sixty years for the pieces of this grand puzzle to fall or rather move into place. For the rest of us, plate tectonics is a simple theory that helps make sense of the earths face. Geological survey usgs and the smithsonian institution. Learn tectonics earth plate chapter 8 with free interactive flashcards.
Historical geologyhotspots wikibooks, open books for an. Since the theory of plate tectonics was first introduced, how far has the tectonic plate were standing on moved. These consist of a linear trail of volcanic islands or seamounts. Plate motion based on the global positioning system gps 8. After learning about plate tectonics, students will model how plates move when a prompt is given. The booklet highlights some of the people and discoveries that advanced the. Call tollfree 1888ask usgs or write to usgs information services box 25286, building 810 denver federal center denver, co 80225 3032024700. Our dynamic earth popup book learn how to make a popup book demonstrating plate tectonics. Earthquake glossary usgs earthquake hazard program.
Feb 21, 2008 the lithosphere is divided into a number of large and small plates and the plates are floating on the mantle plate tectonics theoryplate tectonics theory 6. In a nutshell, this theory states that the earths outermost layer is fragmented into a dozen or more large and small solid slabs, called lithospheric plates or tectonic plates, that are moving relative to one another as they ride atop hotter, more. It is explained in some detail in chapter 10, but is introduced here because. Earthquakes and plate tectonics book summaries, test. In 1969, spreading plate margins became part of the theory of plate tectonics.
The lithosphere lithosphere is comprised of the upper mantle and the crust, the outer shell of the earth. A world map of volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. Plate tectonics describes seismic activity, volcanism, mountain building, and. Bostrom presented evidence for a general westward drift of the earths lithosphere with respect to the mantle. Pacific belt also called the rim of fire follows the rim of the pacific ocean and hosts over 80 percent of the worlds shallow and medium. Synopsis of plate tectonic theory earth and space science. Putting these two words together, we get the term plate tectonics, which refers to how the earths surface is built of plates. It has served as a unifying model or paradigm for explaining geologic phenomena that were formerly considered in unrelated fashion.
Plate tectonics on this page, you will describe what we now know about plate tectonics and what causes them to move. It provides us with a way to tie together what once was considered unrelated geologic. The theory of plate tectonics states that the earths outermost layer is fragmented into a dozen or more large and. Wegener expanded his theory in his 1915 book the origin of continents and oceans. 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. I was able to manage a rudimentary understanding of this book. Written in understandable terms and filled with interesting facts about geological events, this book helps readers appreciate our remarkable planet. He concluded that tidal forces the tidal lag or friction caused by the earths rotation and the forces acting upon it by the moon are a driving force for plate tectonics. A readable summary of oceanographic exploration and the. The lithosphere lithosphere is comprised of the upper mantle and the. We will learn specifically about mountain formation, earthquakes, and volcanoes later in the unit.
The worlds earthquakes are not randomly distributed over the earths surface. Like its two previous editions 1989 and 1994, this mapthe alltime bestselling map of the usgs remains exceptionally popular and widely. Rick johnson, instructional consultation, university of california, santa barbara. They provide explanations such as why earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in very specific areas around the world, and how and why great mountain ranges like the alps and.
Earthquakes and plate tectonics earthquakes occur in well. Understanding plate motions this dynamic earth, usgs. Immediately download the plate tectonics summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching plate tectonics. I had an introductory class in geology in college which did not address plate tectonics and i had difficulty in keeping up with the terminology in this book. Continental crust oceanic crust oceanic crust alaska. Since then, scientists have verified and refined this. Today, plate tectonics is the unifying theory of the entire field of geology. Plate tectonics in a nutshell the theory of plate tectonics is a relatively new scientific concept.
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