Plate tectonics the unifying concept of the earth sciences. 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. In the early 1960s, the emergence of the theoryof plate tectonicsstarted a revolution in the earth sciences. For geology plate tectonics is similar in importance as the discovery of dna is to biology plate tectonics helps explain earthquakes. Plate tectonics is a relatively new, wellsupported scientific theory that helps explain earths landforms, catastrophic events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and other. Alternative conceptions of plate tectonics held by. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology. Alfred wegener and the continental drift hypothesis. Plate tectonics map of the world, showing plates, boundaries, boundary types and more.
We now know that, directly or indirectly, plate tectonics influences nearly all geologic processes, past and present. The idea that continents have moved in the past is not new. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and has. Plate tectonics idea that the earths surface is divided into a few large, thick plates that move slowly and change in size through time. L1 advanced readers plate motions point out that the arrows in figure 20 show the direction of plate motion.
Although geologists treat it as a law plate tectonics is still and will likely remain a theory. It affects all of us because it explains where and why such natural disasters as earthquakes. Nov 22, 2010 think back to the definition of unifying theories. Recent research in plate tectonics and relevance to the new national curriculum. The paper will not go into detail a bout the reasons put forward to. It has become the major unifying theory in geology to explain global change. Plate tectonicsthe unifying theory of geology geology u. How many major crustal plates form the lithosphere. 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 tectonicsthe unifying theory of geology geology. The driving mechanism of plate tectonics plate tectonics and the distribution of natural resources geofocus. Like the scientists before us, we will now merge the ideas of continental drift and seafloor spreading into the theory of plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics geology lumen learning.
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. Plate tectonic theory is the unifying theory of 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. This theory was amalgamated from a variety of studies that began in the early 20th century and culminated in the 1960s. For these reasons, it is known as a unifying theory. A unifying theory what are the main tenets of plate tectonic theory. 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. These slabs are called tectonic plates and fit together like pieces to a puzzle. 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. It tells how the surface of the earth is formed and changes. 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. The theory of plate tectonics is a recent development in the geological sciences.
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. The theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that. The hypothesis of seafloor spreading accounts for continental movement, and the idea. Iceland is one of the few places where this process can be seen on land. Although plate tectonics is a relatively young idea in comparison with unifying theories from other sciences e. 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. The boundary between the two regions is a noslip surface such that stresses transmitted from the newtonian layer to. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology. It explains locations of mountain chains, earthquakes, rock assemblages, and structures on sea floor. 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. Wilson then unified the ideas of wegener and hess into the plate tectonic theory. 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. Many students of geology are taught how mantle convection drives plate.
Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology, the framework into which are fitted all other explanations of largescale geological phenomena. Bookmark file pdf theory of plate tectonics answer key 9 theory of plate tectonics answer key 9. 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 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. The theory of plate tectonics attributes the movement of massive sections of the earths outer. 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. Alternative conceptions of plate tectonics held by nonscience. 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. 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. In what way is the theory of plate tectonics the unifying principle of geology.
A solid understanding of the basic tenets of this theory is crucial in developing a scienti. A system is a group of individual yet interdependent components that interact to form a unified entity and are under the. So how did the theory of plate tectonics develop and become accepted, because scientists didnt always think this about our earth. Theory of plate tectonics earth science lumen learning.
Scientific development and applications of plate tectonics. The platetectonic theory, which embraces both continental drift and seafloor. Describe how you think plate tectonics is the unifying principle of geology. 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. 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. Pdf palaeogeography is the cartographic representation of the past. 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 generation of plate tectonics from mantle convection. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory in geolo gy. 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. Why is plate tectonics a unifying theory of 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. Central to the theory of plate tectonics is the concept of. Jordan4 abstract the theory of plate tectonics is the conceptual model through which most dynamic processes on earth are understood. Earths geography has changed through time and continues to change today. Plate tectonics is the most important paradigm in geology. The geoscientific community accepted platetectonic theory after seafloor spreading was validated in the early 1960s. Plate tectonics refers to the formation and migration of these lithospheric. The hypothesis of continental drift was based on considerable geologic, paleontologic, and climatologic evidence. 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.
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. Ever since the first maps of the atlantic ocean were made in the 16th century. Teaching tectonics teaching plate tectonics with easytodraw illustrations is fun and effective. 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. 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. Two major premises of plate tectonics are as follows. Pdf a historical account of how continental drift and plate tectonics. It explains why the oceanic lithosphere is never older than about 180 ma and why only.
Plate tectonics is the theory used to explain the structure of the earths crust and many of the associated phenomenon. By definition, the word plate in geologic terms means a large slab of solid rock. Plate generation and twophase damage theory in a model of. The plate is pushed by the formation of new ocean crust and pulled by the subduction of old ocean crust. Experiencing, listening to the extra experience, adventuring, studying, training, and more practical happenings may back you to improve. In this plate tectonic framework, large scale deformation is the local response of. The theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains earths geological processes. The unifying theory continental drift seafloor spreading plate subduction transform faulting types of plate bounda. This unit engages students in an indepth, studentdirected investigation and several guided inquiries to discover, test, and use the theory of plate tectonics. Continental drift and the development of plate tectonic theory. 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 theorythis paper contains 20pages plate tectonics. Frank press raymond siever john grotzinger thomas h. A unifying theory it is just as if we were to refit the torn pieces of a. 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. Learn tectonics theory plate unifying with free interactive flashcards. Can someone help me with this earth science question please. Plate tectonics is the grand, unifying theory of earth sciences, combining the concepts of continental drift and seafloor spreading into one holistic theory that. When a plate sinks below another plate, it pulls on the rest of the plate, exerting a force called.
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 rigid lithosphere is split into 15 major plates that slowly move on. The theory of plate tectonics is the conceptual model through which most dynamic processes on earth are understood. Plate tectonics theory is still being as scientists learn more about how earths tectonic plates move. Alternative conceptions of plate tectonics held by nonscience undergraduates scott k. Plate tectonic theory is considered a unifying theory because.
Plate tectonics the theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains earths geological processes. Plate tectonics 1 plate tectonics the grand unifying theory tectonics study of the origin and arrangement of broad structural features of earths surface. The earth surface has continuously been changing ever since it was formed, especially regarding the geomorphological and geological phenomena. They are part of the dynamic interactions involving earths plates. A new unifying and general theory in geomorphology. Theory of suspect terranes the idea that the continents are a patchwork of terranes each with its own unique geologic history. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology cornerstone of earthsystem approach. The plate tectonic paradigm the unifying theory of geology has just turned 50. 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.
The theory of plate tectonics is a unifying theory for geology. Plate tectonics theory, diagrams, boundaries geology. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Plate tectonics have students team read pages 158 and 159 to. Theory called plate tectonics plates move relative to one another plates float on semiliquid upper mantle like pool floaties. Theory that states that earths outer layer lithosphere is broken up into large, slowly moving pieces called tectonic plates or lithospheric plates. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized. In this unit, we will examine the search for a mechanism and how it was resolved and tested. The earth is composed of layers of different composition and physical properties, principally the. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and has revolutionized geology. 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 thus provides the big picture of geology. A global study of plate tectonics as a unifying solidearth theory, which explains continental and oceanic geology of the past and present. With seafloor spreading, the continents and oceanic crust move together as part of large plates. 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. 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 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 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. 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 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. 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. Knowledge of earths interior is derived primarily from analysis of the seismic waves that propagate through earth as a result of earthquakes.