The unifying theory this paper contains 20pages plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains the past and current crustal movements at the earths surface. Students learn the structure and composition of oceanic and continental crust and the theory of plate tectonics. This theory provides a framework for understanding geological history. Plate tectonics is a relatively new, wellsupported scientific theory that helps explain earths landforms, catastrophic events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and other. In 1912, wegener noticed that the coastlines of the east coast of south america and the west. Wegener proposed that the continents plowed through crust of ocean basins, which would explain why the outlines of many coastlines like south america and africa look like they fit together like a puzzle. Plate tectonics is considered a unifying theory, or a paradigm, because it describes how the earths plates move around. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology. This includes the formation, movement, collision and destruction of plates and the resulting geological events such as seismicity, volcanism, continental drift, and. Plate tectonics map of the world, showing plates, boundaries, boundary types and more. Continental rift convergent plates moving toward one another oceanic.
Plate tectonics plate tectonics, earth science lessons, 6th. The theory of plate tectonics explains the formation, movement, and subduction of earths. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is a unifying theory that states that. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology, the framework into which are fitted all other explanations of largescale geological phenomena. Plate tectonics conclusion 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. What are the limitations of the plate tectonic theory. Sep 17, 2009 the theory of plate tectonics explains how plates and their continents move. Plate tectonics is the theory that earths outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. This theory was amalgamated from a variety of studies that began in the early 20th century and culminated in the 1960s. Plate tectonics the unifying concept of the earth sciences. May 21, 2012 if the idea of plate tectonics is the unifying theory of the science of geology, then this mapping activity is the unifying assignment of high school earth science.
Plate tectonics is the theory that the surface of the earth is broken into larger pieces of crust called plates that ride along on a softer layer of the earth, known as the asthenosphere, which is the upper part of the mantle. 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. 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 proposes that the lithosphere is divided into a series of plates that fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Pdf on sep 15, 1994, charles musarurwa and others published plate tectonics. Wegeners theory and sea floor maps were used to develop the theory of plate tectonics. Teaching plate tectonics with easytodraw illustrations is fun and effective.
Central to the theory of plate tectonics is the concept of internal rigidity of tectonic plates together with eulers theo rem, which allows us to model the relative motion of plates. April 2003 website and downloadable pdf file available at. Observations that led to the development of plate tectonic theory. Plate tectonicsthe unifying theory of geology geology. 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. The theory of plate tectonics helps explain the locations of. Plate tectonics is the geological theory that states that pieces of earths lithosphere are in constant, slow motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.
Science classroom plate tectonics 27 ideas for 2019 browse over educational resources created by the stem center in the official teachers pay teachers store. While the lateral extent of modern plate can be easily defined by earthquake activity, its thickness is not physically defined. Plate tectonics grew out of a theory that was first developed in the early 20th century by the meteorologist alfred wegener. Two scientific advances in the mid20th century resulted in information critical to acceptance of continental drift and plate tectonic theory. With seafloor spreading, the continents and oceanic crust move together as part of large plates. Chapter 1 plate tectonics power point linkedin slideshare. A good way to have a variety of lessonrelated activities in groups. Plate tectonics is the theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena. Alfred wegener and continental drift it was not until 1912 that the idea of moving continents was seriously considered as a fullblown scientific theory called continental drift introduced in two articles published by a 32yearold german meteorologist named alfred lothar wegener alfred lothar wegener 18801930 earned a. Unifying theory of geology class earth science erratics. The unifying theory continental drift seafloor spreading plate subduction transform faulting types of plate boundaries divergent plates moving apart oceanic. First, the topography of the ocean floor was mapped in great detail during and after world war ii.
Plate tectonic theory is considered a unifying theory because. We reference it almost daily hammering home where the boundaries are, how they interact, and what happens when they move in. Along spreading centers in the sea floor, melted rock rises through cracks, cools, and forms new crust that builds up midocean ridges. An insiders history of the modern theory of the earth naomi oreskes, homer eugene legrand download bok. Plate movements are responsible for most continental and oceanfloor features and for the distribution of most. It explains why the oceanic lithosphere is never older than about 180 ma and why only.
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. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics. Nothing is permanent, even if it is sometimes presented to us in the form of an ancient rock. It affects all of us because it explains where and why such natural disasters as earthquakes. Three types of plate boundaries are recognized divergent convergent transform boundaries are zones of earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology considerable geologic, paleontology, and climatologic evidence is used to support the theory interior processes are involved in plate. By definition, the word plate in geologic terms means a large slab of solid rock. This movement affects subduction, sea floor spreading, volcanic activity, mountain building, and other geological phenomenon. Find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. 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 tells how the surface of the earth is formed and changes. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shell that revolutionized earth sciences by providing a uniform context for understanding mountainbuilding processes, volcanoes, and earthquakes as well as the evolution of earths surface. Discover in this accessible and authoritative introduction the fundamental theory of how our dynamic planet works written by the celebrated geologist, academic and popular science presenter iain stewart, plate tectonics explores the earth as a planetary machine and investigates the people and ideas that changed the way we look at the world. 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. Plate tectonic theory is the unifying theory of geology. This strong outer layer is called the lithosphere, which is 100 km 60 miles thick. We reference it almost daily hammering home where the boundaries are, how they interact, and what happens when they move in various ways. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to earths mantle. The hypothesis of continental drift was based on considerable geologic. If the idea of plate tectonics is the unifying theory of the science of geology, then this mapping activity is the unifying assignment of high school earth science. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and has revolutionized geology. Plate tectonics theory, diagrams, boundaries geology. 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. New departures in structural geology and tectonics a white paper resulting from a workshop held at denver colorado, september 22nd and 23rd, 2002 sponsored by the tectonics program, earth sciences division, and national science foundation geoear. The plate tectonic paradigm the unifying theory of geology has just turned 50.
Principally it refers to the movement and interaction of the earths lithosphere. Plate tectonics i grades 9 overview unifying concepts and lesson introduces students to geological oceanography by presenting the basic structure of the earth and the properties of arths primary layers. Continental drift and plate tectonics university of iceland. Plate tectonics plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and revolutionized geology cornerstone of earthsystem approach. 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. History of plate tectonics plate tectonic theory had its beginnings in 1915 when alfred wegener proposed his theory of continental drift. Mar 21, 2020 plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shell that 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. Since the development of the theory, geologists have had to reexamine almost every aspect of. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains the past and current movements of the rocks at earths surface and provides a framework for understanding its geologic history.
Plate tectonics and largescale system interactions. Plate tectonics have students team read pages 158 and 159 to. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics plate tectonics is a theory developed in the late 1960s, to explain how the outer layers of the earth move and deform. What were the major lines of evidence for continental drift as presented by wegener in the early 20th century. A unifying theory it is just as if we were to refit the torn pieces of a. The theory of plate tectonics explains how plates and their continents move. A unifying theory it is just as if we were to refit the torn pieces of a newspaper by matching their edges and. Although plate tectonics is a relatively young idea in comparison with unifying theories from other sciences e. This unit engages students in an indepth, studentdirected investigation and several guided inquiries to discover, test, and use the theory of plate tectonics.
Plate tectonicsthe unifying theory of geology geology u. L1 advanced readers plate motions point out that the arrows in figure 20 show the direction of plate motion. They are part of the dynamic interactions involving earths plates. 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. The plate is pushed by the formation of new ocean crust and pulled by the subduction of old ocean crust. The hypothesis of continental drift was based on considerable.
Earths geography has changed through time and continues to change today. You will receive your score and answers at the end. 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. These slabs are called tectonic plates and fit together like pieces to a puzzle. The theory has caused a revolution in the way we think about the earth. The glaciations on the gondwana continents could only have occurred if the continents were joined since the centers of the glaciers would have been in the ocean if they were not. 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. Along spreading centers in the sea floor, melted rock rises through cracks, cools, and. Plate tectonics this is the plate tectonics differentiation stations. 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. Following guidance from the white house, centers for disease control and prevention, and state and local public health authorities, we are. This new theory of largescale change on the earth is known as plate tectonics. 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.
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