Plate Tectonics Essay

Plate Tectonics Essay
The theory of plate tectonics, only recently introduced to the world, transforms the thought that the earth has been the same since its beginning. The
theory alters the view of the average person almost in the way that Columbus showed the world was round. The theory of plate tectonics was
developed from the theories of continental drift and sea–floor spreading and states that the earth's surface is divided into several large plates, which are
constantly in motion.
In 1912, Alfred Wegener, a German scientist, was the first to notice this and develop the theory of plate tectonics. He noticed that the earth'scontinents
fit together almost like a jigsaw puzzle. This, combined with the fact that similar fossils and rock types are found on...show more content...
The tectonic plates floating on the molten rock move away from each other.
As the matter eventually cools it becomes less dense, causing the lithosphere to descend with it. This process is called subduction. If this occurs
between a continental plate and an oceanic plate, the oceanic plate sinks into the asthenosphere and melts, producing magma. This magma rises to the
top occasionally and erupts causing a volcano to form. As a result of this most volcanoes lie along the edge of oceanic and continental plates. The ring
of fire bordering along the Pacific Ocean plate is an example of this.
The tectonic plates are constantly in motion and as a result come in contact with each other. Plates interact with each other in three ways each forming
a different type of boundary. The three boundaries include divergent, convergent, and conservative boundaries. Divergent and convergent boundaries
are the two main types of movement and were described earlier.
Divergent boundaries occur when two plates move away from each other creating plate matter in their wake. This causes a gap between the plates
that is indicated by a rise or a ridge. This is also referred to as sea floor spreading. The reason of this is most of this type of action occurs in the center
of the world's major ocean basins.
Convergent margins form when two plates collide with one another. One of the two plates slides below the other at about half of a ninety–degree angle
resulting in a

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Tectonic Plates
The Earth is a very detailed planet; there are many actions going on at once on this planet. The Earth has many boundaries, plates. and layers. The
plates beneath our feet mold the world we live in. While very slowly, the plates are indeed moving. There are a few variations to the plates; they have
different directions in which they move in relation to separate plates. These changes in plate movement have different side effects, from ocean trenches
to miles of mountain ranges. In 1912, a german climatologist, Alfred Wegener proposed that the continents were once joined and made one land mass.
He named this super continent Pangaea. He had a lot of evidence to prove that they were once together, but he was missing one key section of
information,...show more content...
Each plate is moving a certain direction due to the convection from the Asthenosphere. The meeting of two plates is called a boundary, there are three
types of boundaries in the world: Convergent Boundaries, Divergent Boundaries. And Transform Boundaries. In the case of Convergent Boundaries,
two plates are pushing against each other, which can create Deep Ocean Trenches, Huge Mountains, and/or Volcanic Mountain chains. An example of
this happening is the Mariana Trench, During Convergence, the denser crust, oceanic crust, is subducted below the less dense crust. If the crusts have
the same density then the plates are pushed upwards. At Divergent Boundaries, the plates are moving away from each other, this can create Mid–Ocean
Ridges and Rift Valleys. An example of this happening is the Mid–Atlantic Ridge. At the final boundary, Transform Boundaries, the plates slide the past
one another in the opposite direction, causing shallow earthquakes and offset features. An example of this Boundary is The San Andreas Fault. While
the crust moves, there are places called Hot spots in which a hot portion of the mantle rises up beneath the crust for millions of years. An example of
this is the Hawaii Island

1.0Topic Definition
Plate Tectonics is a scientific theory which study how the Earth's plates are driven and shaped by geological forces to keep them in constant movement.
The theory explains the present–day tectonic behavior of the Earth, particularly the global distribution of mountain building, earthquake activity, and
volcanism in a series of linear belt. (Pitman, W.C., 2007)
Plate Tectonics explains geomagnetic and geothermal phenomena, magma and orogenesis, and it clarify the global mid–ocean ridges and rift system,
etc. The theory also analyzes geological issues such as the origin of oceanic crust. Plate Tectonics has a significant effect on all fields of geology
because it helps explain many geological phenomenons.
Figure1....show more content...
Geology is a subject which studies the Earth, the materials of it, the structure of those materials and the movement of them. Plate Tectonics studies the
movement, evolution, composition, portfolio construction, distribution and mutual relations of the Earth's lithosphere plates, which is similar to
subject of geology.
4.0 Knowledge
In junior high school, I have learned the Continental Drift Theory, and my geography teacher told me there was a new theory based on the Continental
Theory, i.e. Plate Tectonics. I accessed to the Internet to find the information about Plate Tectonics.
There are three distinct types of plate boundaries existing, which are supported by geological observation, geophysical data, and theoretical
considerations. Their names and categories are based on if adjacent plates move apart from each other (divergent plate margins), toward one another
(convergent plate margins), or slip past one another in a direction parallel to their common boundary (transform plate margins) (Pitman, W.C., 2007).
The new volcanic material welling up into the void, which forms a ribbon of new materials and breaks down its center gradually, when the plates
move apart from the axis of the mid–oceanic ridge system. Therefore, every separating plate accretes one half a ribbon of new lithosphere, and, thus, a
new surface is added (Pitman, W.C, 2007). The process is continuous, and separation is always happening at the

Plate Tectonics: Birth Of A Theory
Based on the information in the textbook and the instructor note, plate tectonics is the Earth's surface divided into several plates that move slowly and
change in size. I found the video Plate Tectonics: "Birth of a Theory" in session 13 very useful. It helps me understand the material easily by using the
animation to illustrate the process of plate tectonics. It is amazing about the fact that the continents can be made to fit together like pieces of a picture
puzzle. About 225 million years ago, the Earth seemed to contain only one piece of continent. However, as time goes by, the plate boundaries have
happened. The plates that move away from one another are called divergent plate boundaries. The plates that move toward each other are called

Plate Tectonic Research
Geochemists are continuously concerned in defining elemental abundances in minerals and rocks as the time goes by. They examine the distribution of
chemical elements and the movement of these elements into soil and water systems which they find interesting in having a closer look on the
evolution of the Earth and how it affects the plate tectonics. The movement of the plates caused the supply of nutrients to the oceans changed through
the time. To further know what might have helped trigger the rise in atmospheric oxygen, Greber lead a group of researchers to look at Titanium
isotopes in shales which lead to a conclusion that changes in crustal composition are possibilities that in an extent can affect the prevalent change in
ocean chemistry....show more content...
As I developed basic knowledge about the topic, it will allow me to communicate what I know that might lead to social awareness. It also increases
my awareness on the problem of uneven distribution of nutrients in the ocean that end up in couple of problems that nearly affects us. Moreover,
primary concepts about Chemistry will probably help me in my course and it will allow me to be familiarized with some Chemistry–related jargons.
And it will help me to determine the elements that will usually cause harm to people hence exposing myself in the real world of

Plate Tectonics
Plate tectonics are a relatively new theory that has revolutionized the way geologists think about the Earth. According to the theory, the surface of the
Earth is broken into large plates. The size and position of these plates change over time. The hypothesis of continental drift was largely developed by
the German Alfred Wegener The edges of these plates, where they move against each other, are sites of intense geologic activity, such as earthquakes,
volcanoes, and mountain building. Plate tectonics is a combination of two earlier ideas, continental drift and sea–floor spreading. Continental drift is the
movement of continents over the Earth's surface and in their change in position relative to each other. Sea–floor...show more content...
Either side of a spreading center, weak magnetic anomalies 5–50 km wide and hundreds of kilometers long can be identified. Molten rock cools
between diverging plates the magnetic minerals present align themselves with the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field at that time. The polarity
of the Earth has changed at regular intervals throughout geological time. Magnetic north has alternated between the Arctic (normal polarity) and the
Antarctic (reversed polarity). These long linear strips of magnetic anomalies form a symmetrical pattern either side of a spreading center. A record
of the changes in the Earth's magnetic polarity has been established and dated for the Cenozoic and is the basis for magnetostratigraphy. This
record, in conjunction with the magnetic stripes found either side of a spreading ridge, allows the rate and pattern of sea floor spreading to be
examined. At a convergent boundary two plates are in relative motion towards each other. One of the two plates slides down below the other at an
angle of around 45 degrees and is incorporated into the Earth's mantle along a subduction zone. The path of this descending plate can be found from
analysis of deep earthquakes and the initial point of descent is marked on the surface by a deep ocean trench

Plate Tectonic Mountains: How Are They Formed?
Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth's crust is divided into a number of plates that move because they float on the asthenosphere. Plate tectonics
are moved by convection loops driven by geothermal activity. High temperatures inside Earth causes magma to rise into the asthenosphere and
eventually reach the base of the Earth's crust. The magma spreads horizontally and cool. The cooling magma moves parts of the crust, creating
mountains (Arbogast 290). There are three types of mountains associate with plate tectonics and they are volcanic, fold and block mountains. These are
formed as "compressional forces, isostatic uplift and intrusion of igneous matter forces rock upward" (Williams). Volcanic mountains are formed when
a tectonic plate...show more content...
"Mountains: How Are They Formed?" Universe Today. N.p., 04 May 2017. Web. 23 June 2017.
Hi Sabryna,
I like how detailed and concise your response was. I see that you mentioned some of the ways mountains are formed. This explains why there are so
many types of mountains and why they have different characteristics. Their shape, height, width, can all be traced back to their formation. When we
look at a mountain, we often overlook all the complex processes that went into its formation. I live in The San Fernando valley surrounded by hills,
but it is heartbreaking to see how we take them for granted by blowing them up to make space for houses and highways.
Hi Lorraine,
Your response was great like always! Reading it along with the pictures and diagram made the concepts much clearer. I like that you included examples
like the Himalayas because it makes it easier to remember the concepts. It was interesting to read some of the factors that influence the movement of
plates. The more we learn about the Earth, the more intriguing it becomes. It's mind–blowing so many components work in conjunction to create
mountains, canyons, valleys, and all the natural formations around us. It would be nice to know how certain landscapes were formed just by looking at
them and having some knowing about the

Plate Boundaries: Questions And Answers
1.Describe the relationship, if any, of the boundaries in #1 to the features that you labeled in #2.
The relationship between the boundaries for example in a convergent plate boundary there exists a trench between the two plates sliding against each
other. Hotspot, a zone in the asthenosphere is where the magma comes from during volcanic eruptions and part of the moving plates.
2.Describe the relationship, if any, of the boundaries in #1 to the islands that you labeled in #3 Most divergent boundaries are under water. Normally
forming submarine called oceanic spreading ridges. Iceland is an exception of this phenomenon since it emerges over the surface unlike other islands
submerged deep in the water.
3.Describe the relationship, if any,...show more content...
What do you think controls the appearance and form of the continental margin? Plate movements and the basic difference in the density of oceanic and
continental crustal units initiate the structural pattern of continental margins and result in a tectonic classification of coastlines as active (Pacific,
leading edge) or passive (Atlantic, trailing edge) margins, each of which have certain fundamental characteristics which define the appearance.
7.How do you think that the mountain chains in #5 formed?the mountains have been formed as a result of convergence of plates e.g. like the nazca
plate and the south American plate . the heavier oceanic crust of the nazca plate is pushed towards the south American plate and because it denser is
sub ducted underneath
8.Here is a thought question. Reflect back on your answer to questions C and E. Based on those responses, does it seem logical that Kilimanjaro is a
much bigger volcano than any of the others, excluding Hawai'i? Hawai'i is a different type of volcano. Be sure to explain your answer.mt kilimanjaro
is much bigger volcano compared to the rest because its one of the oldest dormant volcanoes.mauna loa though regarded as the largest volcanic
mountain is still an active

Introduction The plate tectonic plays an important role in understanding many of the geological aspects and observations and it allows scientists to
prevent disasters such as earthquakes and volcanoes. The Africa plate is an interested plate because it bounded with many difference major plates.
This report will summery the general setting of the Africa plate with highlighting the most interested geological features in the first part. This including
the type of plate boundaries and a brief history of the Africa plate. While the second part will focus on the east African rift and its widely debate initial
and current mechanism processes. General Tectonic setting of Africa The African plate is bounded by different types of plate
...show more content...
Finally, due to the south, the African plate has transform boundary with the Antarctic plate with spreading rate of 15 mmyr–1 (Simkin et al, 1994). At
the east part of the African plate there is the Afar Triangle which is a ridge–ridge–ridge triple junction (See Figure 1 for the east and north boundaries).
Using the data from (Tesfayes et al 2003) paper, the Triple junction is determined as unstable (See Appendix 1 for the working). However, because the
plate spearing rates are varying from place to another the average rate was used in the drawing. The African plate in the north has convergent
boundaries and a subduction zones with the Eurasian plate were mountains, volcanic activities and earthquakes are found. There are difference type of
subduction zone Oceanic–continental, Ocean–ocean and Continental–continental. The fate of the subducting slab encounters stress, friction,
deformation and melting while moving deep into the lithosphere then to mantle layers until it reach the mantle core edges where its gathered and
collapses. There are two types of crustal made up the African plate; the oceanic and continental crust. Continental crust is the land crust above the sea.
In term of thickness it is thicker than the oceanic one however the density of continental crust is less than the oceanic one. The continental crust is
made of Igneous rocks most of it granite upper continental crust and basaltic lower continental crust. While the oceanic crust

Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes And Volcanoes Essay
Assignment 2
Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Chapters 7, 8 & 9)
Assignment 2 aims to look at the movement of the Earth 's plates as well as the development of Earthquakes and Volcanoes due to such movements.
It will be broken into three parts: Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes. For submission, please feel free to print, write on and scan, or type up
in a word document. If you are using any outside sources, such as websites to answer your questions, please make sure that a citation is provided, to
avoid any form of plagiarism.
Part 1 – Plate Tectonics – Plate boundaries are a major player in understanding plate tectonics.
1. Referring to the accompanying diagrams that illustrate the three types of convergent plate boundaries, complete the following:
a.Identify each type of convergent boundary.
b.Volcanic island arcs develop on what type of crust Oceanic Oceanic
c.Why are volcanoes largely absent where two continental blocks collide?
Both are made of thick layer rock and shove there mass at eachother, both have similar density neither sinks the other
d.Describe two ways that oceanic–oceanic convergent boundaries are different from oceanic–continental convergent boundaries? How are they similar?
Oceanic– oceanic convergence occurs deep in the ocean where on oceanic plate is overlapped on top of another oceanic plate causing the formation of
trenches. The oceanic plate will disburse into smaller pieces causing earthquakes to occur.

Plate Tectonics
Ever since the beginning on time, Humans believed the ground is solid and immobile. But this is not true whatsoever. The Earth is every–changing and
continually in motion. The stability of the Earth is not at all what we think it is. Thinking about the rotational axis of the Earth, and possibly of what
the Earth may become at a certain point in time, has a great influence on understanding all aspects of living things, either in the past, present, or future.
The Theory of Plate tectonics is accredited to most of the creations of Mountain Ranges, the Centennial drifting Theory, for earthquakes, and volcanic
activity. Plate tectonics and mountains also play a big part in the Earth and its geological features. Geophysics,...show more content...
The core is the last layer of the Earth, which is broken down into the liquid outer core and the solid inner core. The inner core is about thirteen hundred
kilometers thick and the outer core is about twenty–three hundred kilometers thick. A nickel–iron alloy mixture makes up the outer core, and the inner
is almost all composed of iron. It is believed that the Earth's magnetic field is controlled by the outer core (Fowler p478) The Earth is separated in
layers based on composition and mechanical properties. The top layer is the lithosphere, which is comprised of the solid upper mantle and the crust. It
is divided into plates that move due to tectonic forces. The lithosphere floats on top of a semi–liquid layer that is called the asthenosphere. The
asthenosphere allows the lithosphere to move around since it is much weaker (Tarbuck p605). Early scientist believed that one huge supercontinent
existed over two hundred million years ago. The name for this supercontinent is Pangaea. Pangaea was broken in to several pieces, and each piece
was a part of the lithosphere. They believed that the pieces of Pangaea formed the continents that we know of in present day geology. When Pangaea
existed, the rest of the Earth was covered by an ocean called Panthalassa. Eventually, Pangaea split into two land masses, Laurasia to the north and
Gondwanaland to the south. The theory of plate tectonics does in fact have an explanation for the movement of

Earth's Crust Research Paper
Day Three (40 minutes)
Prepare the Learner:
Remind the class that with divergent plate tectonics, plates are moving away from each other and new crust is being made, then ask the question: Why
is the earth not getting larger? Poll some of the answers from the learners and begin the session.
Convergent Boundary:(20 minutes)
Explain to the class that another type of plate tectonics, when the plates crash into each other, is called convergent, and that this causes the Earths crust
to be pushed into the interior where it is remelted at the same rate the new crust is being made. Discuss the two kinds of surface features associated
with them, then describe to them that with oceanic convergence, a deep ocean trench is formed along a line of the...show more content...
Further explain when hot spots are formed, they remain constant as the plate moves over it and results in the formation of volcanoes. Describe to
the learners that as the plate moves over a hot spot, a trail of volcanoes is left behind. The older volcanoes move, new volcanoes will form over the
hot spot. Provide the most well known example of hot spot volcanism, the Hawaiian Islands. Now play the video "Hawaii's Hotspot". Further
discuss that the Hawaiian Islands have been forming for millions of years, and that the oldest islands in the Hawaiian Island chain are now dead
volcanoes. Be sure to note that the biggest island is also the newest island, with two active volcanoes. Instruct the learners that these new volcanoes
are being fed by the same hot spot that created the older dead ones, and eventually the big island will also become dormant as the plate moves away
forming a new island fed by the same hot spot.
Ask your students if any examples on the blackboard represent a hot

Plate tectonics essay
Assess the strength of the relationship between tectonic processes and major landforms on the earth's surface. Tectonic processes have been
responsible for the major landforms across the Earth's surface. These processes are controlled by the convection currents rising from the Earth's
mantle. Firstly, one place where tectonic activity occurs is at oceanic to oceanic constructive plate boundaries. Here two plates diverge or move away
from each other, pushed apart by huge convection currents In the earth's mantle. These convection currents are initiated by heat energy produced from
radioactive decay in the earth's core. As the convection currents move the plates away from each other, there is a weaker zone in the crust and an...show
more content...
Here, two plates meet and the denser oceanic lithosphere of the Nazca plate is forced down under the more buoyant continental lithosphere of the
South American plate, descending at an angle into the mantle in a process called subduction. This is marked on the ocean surface by the presence of
the Peru–Chilie trench. The friction between the plates prevents the subducting oceanic plate from sliding smoothly. As it descends it drags against
the overlying plate causing both fracture and deform. This results in frequent shallow focus earthquakes The subduction of the Nazca plate under
southern Chile produced the largest earthquake ever recorded, with a magnitude of 9.5 in 1960. Volcanoes are also created here as one plate
subducts and partially melts; the magma rises up through fissures and can reach the surface. The type of lava here is andesitic, very high in silica and
not very hot resulting in a composite volcano being formed out of layers of ash and lava. The cascade mountain range is an example of where a
destructive plate boundary has caused the Juan de Fuca plate to subduct under the North American plate. This resulted in 15 composite volcanoes being
formed, one of them, Mount St. Helens. Similar to the peru–chile region, the Japanese islands are situated in a subduction zone. In the northwestern
margin of the pacific oceans, the pacific plate

Plate Tectonics : Tectonics And Volcanoes
SCIENCE PERIOD 6
MS. COTTER
PLATE TECTONICS
RELATIONS TO EARTH'S CRUST
___
By Sally Lynne
INTRODUCTION
There are many ways that Plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes are connected. The most reasonable way is the movements of the Earth 's crust.
There are also many other plate tectonic related theories and studies that are connected with the earthquakes and volcanoes too.
The Theory of the Continental Drift was made by Alfred Wegener and started to be more convincing when people heard about tectonic plates. Wegener
thought that since the world would rotate, the continents would shift into each other or apart from each other. But since we have better technology, we
now know that the continents move because they sit on top of plate tectonics, which constantly move around, moving the continents on top of them.
What are plate tectonics?
Plate tectonics is a theory that Earth's crust is broken up into plates that float along the mantle. The plates act like a broken egg shell around the yolk
or mantle, outer core, and inner core. Scientist Alfred Wegener didn't have a scientific reason to explain how the continents moved. These plates are
moving very slowly and in a very, very, very long time, Earth will look different than what the continents look like now. The Nazca Plate is moving
southeast and will cause a collision with the South American Plate.
Earthquakes form when two tectonic plates slide past each other, push against each other, or pull apart from each other.

The Role of the Knowledge of Plate Tectonics Plate tectonics helps us to understand three main things; the distribution of the worlds major landforms,
where natural hazards such as volcanoes and earthquakes can strike, and the distribution of minerals and energy supplies. There are at seven main
plates composed of the narrow crust that forms the outer shell or limosphere of the Earth. All of these plates are in continuous motion moving in
different directions. This is continental drift and can be proven by fossil evidence, structure of continents and climatic change. This causes to plates to
meet. Plate margins are the points at which the plates meet. There are three different types of...show more content...
Mauna Loa has been active for over 150 years, erupting on average every three years are a major tourist attraction. Where continental plates drift
apart, the major landform created is a rift valley, for example that in East Africa. The doming up of the crust, as a result of the intense pressure from the
convection currents within the mantle, leads to rocks splitting at their weakest point. Rift valleys occur where two parallel down– faults have produced
a trough. The East African rift valley, beginning at river Jordan, stretches for over 4,000km. It is situated where the Arabian plate has separated
from the African plate. Volcanoes are associated with the eastern rift, for example in Kenya and Tanzania, as the faults create an easy route for the
lava to escape and reach the surface. This is a picture showing the Great Eastern rift valley. The conservative type plate boundary is where two plates
pass each other rubbing in opposite ways. This friction is the main cause of earthquakes. If you compare a map showing where the conservative
margins are located and where the world's earthquakes mainly occur, you will find evidence of this. One example of an earthquake that occurred on a
conservative plate margin is the 1999 earthquake, in Izmit, in western Turkey. The industrial city is located on the plate margin between the Eurasian
and

plate tectonics Essay
Plate Tectonics
Ever since the beginning on time, Humans believed the ground is solid and immobile. But this is not true whatsoever. The Earth is every–changing and
continually in motion. The stability of the Earth is not at all what we think it is. Thinking about the rotational axis of the Earth, and possibly of what
the Earth may become at a certain point in time, has a great influence on understanding all aspects of living things, either in the past, present, or future.
The study of Plate tectonics is accredited to most of the creations of Mountain Ranges, the drifting of continents, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.
Plate tectonics and mountains also play a big part in the geological features of our planet or any planet for that...show more content...
Wegener was not the first one to realize that the continents looked like they could fit together because Magellan and other early explorers noticed this
also. However, he was the first person to realize that the Earth's surface has changed over time, and that continents that are not together now could have
possibly been joined together at some point in the past (Twiss p532).
Many people were against Wegener's theory because he did not really have an explanation for why the continents moved. During that time, geologist
believed the Earth possessed these features because the planet went through periods of cooling and heating. Anti–mobilists were people that were
against Wegener's theory. People who were in favor of Wegener were known as mobilists because they had seen proof of continental movement in the
Alps (Fowler p475).
In a few short years, Wegener's theory was denied. However, his theory was the first time the idea of continental movement was announced to the
science community. His theory laid the foundation for the advancement in twenty–first century plate tectonics. Years would pass and more evidence
became available to support the idea that plates were in fact in motion and changed over a period of time (Fowler p476).
After the Second World War, more information was discovered which supported the theory of plate tectonics. In the sixties, a bunch of seismometers
were installed to collect data on nuclear bombs, and these instruments sparked curiosity among

Plate tectonics should sound familiar and also sound like something that is a definitive piece of earth, however, it is just a theory. It is thought that the
earth is broken into sections and is slowly moving. There are many pieces of evidence stating why the theory of plate tectonics are valid. Continental
drift is the most valid evidence to the plate tectonics theory. Continental drift is the theory that the continents were not always where they are now
due to plate tectonics. This has been a theory since the early 1600's when francis bacon wrote about a "'good fit" between the shapes of the
coastlines of the "old" and the "new" world's.' Fossil records back this theory up greatly. There were seed fossils found in africa, australia and

Plate Tectonics
pg. 1
Plate tectonics is the theory that has been studied for over thirty years that states that the outside layer of Earth are actually large plates, approximately
forty kilometers thick, that slide across the magma beneath the exterior of the planet. The theory of plate tectonics explains the enormous amount of
volcanic and seismic activity surrounding certain areas of the world, stating that the sliding of these plates either away from each other, sliding past
each other, or sliding into each other and causing one of the plates to slide beneath the other. When the plates slide away from each other, new ocean
floor is formed. When the plates slide past each other, minor earthquakes will occur. When the plates slide toward each other and...show more content...
The famous Canadian geologist, J. Tuzo Wilson, was the first to speculate why there was volcanic activity in the middle of a tectonic plate in
1963. Wilson was the first to speculate about the hot spots, or thermal plums. The theory of hot spots is supported by the Hawaiian islands which
are located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean plate, also known as the Ring Of Fire due to the increased volcanic activity surrounding the plate.
Because the plate has been shifting since the beginning of time, the plate has gradually slid by the hot spot, slowly forming islands across the ocean.
One of the earliest islands, Kauai, has magma sediment from over 5.5 million years old, and the newest island, Loihi, which is still submerged
beneath the ocean and has yet to reach the surface but still is 8,000 feet tall from the bottom of the ocean. The comparison of these islands shows the
gradual movement of plates above the hot spot due to the gradual aging of the sediment rock on the islands, gradually decreasing in age starting with
Kauai.
The difference between volcanoes formed through hot spots compared to those formed by submerging tectonic plates is that the magma released in
volcanoes from hot spots has different characteristics than other volcanoes. For instance, the magma is released due to its ability to continually break
through the lithosphere, rather than being pressured by the sliding of the tectonic plates. Both types of volcanoes are similar because of the fact that
they both are temporary features on the planet due to the constant motion of the plates and the cooling of the lithosphere beneath the tectonic

A plate tectonic is defined as a solid rock mass that builds up the Earth's surface. The plate tectonic theory is a theory that geologists use to help
explain the surface processes and events. The word plate means large pieces of the earth that are always in motion, lithosphere plates. Tectonics means
how the continents formed and move over time. This is the theory that most geologists accept as to what happened to our continents. It states that Earth
is made up of two layers, the lithosphere, outer, and the inner asthenosphere. Lithosphere is made up different chemicals and uneven rocks. They are
however, very rigid and brittle. The lithosphere is made up of ten major plates. Its major plates are the...show more content...
When looking at this, it appears like two cars crashing into each other very slowly. The front ends fold and bend with the edge of the continental
plate folding into a mountain range. You will also notice that the edge of the oceanic plate has bent down. This makes the rock in both plates break
and slip, causing earthquakes. As the edge of the oceanic plate digs into Earth's hot interior, some of the rock in it melts. Convergent boundaries are
dangerous places to live. Some insist that with careful planning and preparation, this land is livable. There are also divergent boundaries where
plates seem to come apart. When the lithosphere of Earth is pulled apart, it tends to break and separate along the boundary. This is a slow process.
The block between the faults cracks and drops down into the asthenosphere. The sinking of the block forms a rift and liquid rock fills the cracks. New
crust is formed along the boundary. Earthquakes occur near the faults with volcanoes forming where the magma reaches the surface. When a divergent
boundary crosses the land, the rift valleys created are usually between 30–50 km wide. One can see this in the East Africa rift in Kenya. There third
boundary that occurs is the transform boundary. This boundary is the least spectacular of them. This boundary happens when plates slide past each
other. This means that plates are not tearing each other apart. The sliding motion of them does cause a lot of earthquakes. Transform boundaries

Plate Tectonics Essay

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