Plate tectonic theory

Plate tectonics described with types, examples, images, & labeled diagrams. Where are they located & what causes them to move. Learn their theory.

Other articles where lithosol is discussed: South America: Soils: …slopes are often steep, and lithosols (shallow soils consisting of imperfectly weathered rock fragments) abound, accounting for another 10 percent of the continent’s surface. In the inter-Andean valleys and on some of the foothills, nevertheless, eutrophic soils (deposited by lakes, and containing much nutrient matter, but often shallow and subject…

This is a collage showing the sketches of differenttypes of Plate Tectonics boundaries.

Based on the physical conditions, the earth can be divided in to three layers. For example, crust, mantle and core. These layers are further subdivided based on their properties. For instance, Continental crust and oceanic crust, Upper and lower mantle, Outer and inner core.

Theory of Continental Drift The theory that continents were once connected, but have drifted apart

This is a brief explamation to the Plate Tectonic Boundaries and movements.

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Above is a diagram of the conventional tectonic view of "subduction" -- the action of one plate supposedly diving beneath another plate. This diagram can be found on Wikimedia commons, and there are many more like it which all show roughly the same concept. According to the conventional view, when one plate runs into another, it will sometimes dive beneath the other plate, creating a trench (marked in the diagram above) along the line of subduction. Additionally, the conventional theory…

The theory, or idea, of plate tectonics says that Earth’s outer layer is made up of large, moving pieces called plates. All of Earth’s land and water sit on these plates. The…

Tectonic plates have created some of the most astonishing geologic creations on earth. Read more about the History, Theory, and Definition...

Plate Tectonics: How Do Plates Move?

Find Plate Tectonics Tectonic Processes Interactions Tectonic stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, 3D objects, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day.

Plate tectonics describes the large-scale motions of the Earth's lithosphere. It covers the concepts of continental drifting, which were developed during the 20th century by Alfred Wegener. Read this ScienceStruck article to gain more information about this concept.

The idea that continents move sounds crazy . . . until you look at the facts.

Plate Tectonics ~ The Year 9 package explores the following statement from the Australian Curriculum; ‘The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity and continental movement.’ Materials also focus on evaluation of conclusions. FREE download

What Drives Plate Motion, and How Fast Do Plates Move? Forces Acting on Plates We've now discussed the many facets of plate tectonics theory but to complete the story, we need to address a major question: “What drives plate motion?” When geoscientists first proposed plate tectonics, they thought the process occurred simply because convective flow in the asthenosphere actively dragged plates along, as if the plates were simply rafts on a flowing river. Thus, early images depicting plate motion…

The Earth's surface is divided into huge, thick plates that drift atop the soft mantle.