The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth’s solid outer crust, the lithosphere, is separated into plates that move over the asthenosphere, the molten upper portion of the mantle. Oceanic and continental plates come together, spread apart, and interact at boundaries all over the planet.
Which statement explains why tectonic plates move?
The main driving force of plate tectonics is gravity . If a plate with oceanic lithosphere meets another plate, the dense oceanic lithosphere dives beneath the other plate and sinks into the mantle. This process is called subduction.
Which statement explains why tectonic plates move quizlet?
Heat from Earth’s interior causes currents of hot rising magma and cooler sinking magma to flow , moving the crust along with them.
What statements provides evidence for plate tectonics?
There is variety of evidence that supports the claims that plate tectonics accounts for (1) the distribution of fossils on different continents , (2) the occurrence of earthquakes, and (3) continental and ocean floor features including mountains, volcanoes, faults, and trenches.
Which statement describes John Tuzo Wilson’s contribution to the theory of plate tectonics?
Which statement describes John Tuzo Wilson’s contribution to the theory of plate tectonics? He proposed that plates carry parts of the seafloor.
What do plate tectonics means?
Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains how major landforms are created as a result of Earth’s subterranean movements . ... In plate tectonics, Earth’s outermost layer, or lithosphere—made up of the crust and upper mantle—is broken into large rocky plates.
What causes tectonic plates to move Quizizz?
Hot magma rises through the boundaries at the mid-ocean ranges , creating new rock as it cools and pushing the plates apart. The strength of the Earth’s magnetic field is so strong it affects the iron filled rocks at mid-ocean ranges, pushing them apart causing the movement in the sea floor. Q.
Which statement accurately describes tectonic plate movement quizlet?
Which statement accurately describes tectonic plate movement? Tectonic plate movement is a long-term environmental change .
Which process is best explained by the theory of plate tectonics?
Which process is best explained by the Theory of Plate Tectonics? ... Tectonics plates divide the earth’s outer layer (lithosphere) . Under the lithosphere is the asthenosphere where the differences in temperature and pressure cause the plates to move.
Which two statements provide evidence for the theory of continental drift?
The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones .
Why are plates tectonics important?
Plate tectonics explains why and where earthquakes occur . This makes it possible to make predictions about earthquakes. Plate tectonics explains why and where mountains are formed. ... This makes Plate tectonics important to the study of geology.
What is John Tuzo Wilson known for?
J. Tuzo Wilson (1908-1993) made major contributions to the development of the plate-tectonics theory in the 1960s and 1970s. ... He suggested that the Hawaiian and other volcanic island chains may have formed due to the movement of a plate over a stationary “hotspot” in the mantle.
Which of the following is the most recent evidence of plate tectonics?
Volcanic activity and sea-floor spreading at the mid-ocean ridges are the most recent evidence of plate tectonics.
What did Tuzo Wilson propose?
In 1963, Tuzo Wilson proposed that plates might move over fixed ‘hotspots’ in the mantle , forming volcanic island chains like Hawaii. In 1965, he followed this discovery with the idea of a third type of plate boundary – transform faults.
Who proposed plate tectonic theory?
German meteorologist Alfred Wegener is often credited as the first to develop a theory of plate tectonics, in the form of continental drift.
What is a tectonic plate quizlet?
tectonic plates. a section of the lithosphere that slowly moves over the asthenosphere , carrying pieces of continental and oceanic crust. transform boundary. a plate boundary where two plates move past each other in opposite directions (for example the San Andreas fault in California)
How does plate tectonics explain the formation of mountain systems?
Mountains form where two continental plates collide . Since both plates have a similar thickness and weight, neither one will sink under the other. Instead, they crumple and fold until the rocks are forced up to form a mountain range. As the plates continue to collide, mountains will get taller and taller.
What are the main types of tectonic plate movement?
- There are three main types of plate boundaries:
- Convergent boundaries: where two plates are colliding.
- Divergent boundaries – where two plates are moving apart.
- Transform boundaries – where plates slide passed each other.
What are most tectonic plates made of?
Tectonic plates are gigantic pieces of the Earth’s crust and uppermost mantle. They are made up of oceanic crust and continental crust . Earthquakes occur around mid-ocean ridges and the large faults which mark the edges of the plates.
What is most responsible for the motion of the tectonic plates that make up Earth’s crust?
Tremendous heat and pressure within the earth cause the hot magma to flow in convection currents . These currents cause the movement of the tectonic plates that make up the earth’s crust.
What is the most likely cause of plate movement quizlet?
Convection currents in the Earth’s mantle are responsible for the movement of tectonic plates. As shown in the diagram, heat from the Earth’s core is the driving force that moves magma in a circular motion called “cells.”
Which statement best describes the motion of the plates along these boundaries that causes the earthquakes?
During the process of mountain building, earthquakes sometimes occur along continental-continental convergent boundaries. Which statement best describes the motion of the plates along these boundaries that causes the earthquakes? The plates push apart from each other with no subduction.
Which statement best describes how the Great Rift Valley in Africa formed?
Terms in this set (12) which statement best describes how the great rift valley in Africa formed? a. the rift valley formed when the crust pulled apart.
What does plate tectonic theory predict about the distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes?
What does plate tectonic theory predict about the distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes? They should be evenly distributed throughout the earth. They should occur primarily along plate boundaries .
What are tectonic plates short answer Brainly?
Answer: A tectonic plate (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere . ... By contrast, oceanic crust is composed of basaltic rocks, which are much denser and heavier.
What is the theory of plate tectonics Quizizz?
What are plate tectonics? The theory that pieces of the lithosphere are in constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle . A break in Earth’s crust along which rocks move.
How is plate tectonics supported by the apparent fit of the continental coastlines?
This apparent fit is due to the fact the continents were once connected, and have since moved apart in what has been called continental drift . However, we now know that it is not just the continents that move, so a more correct term is plate tectonics .
Which statement best describes the geologic process that is most likely responsible for the formation of mountains?
Which statement best describes the geologic process that is most likely responsible for the formation of mountains? They are along a transform plate boundary that is no longer active, so erosion is creating deep valleys.
What is the most likely reason for the formation of volcanic mountains?
Volcanic mountains
Movements of tectonic plates create volcanoes along the plate boundaries, which erupt and form mountains . A volcanic arc system is a series of volcanoes that form near a subduction zone where the crust of a sinking oceanic plate melts.
Which statement best explains the difference between the theory of plate tectonics and the theory of continental drift?
Which of the following best explains the difference between continental drift and plate tectonics? Continental drift describes the motion of Earth’s continents only ; plate tectonics describes the motion of the crust beneath Earth’s oceans as well.
Which of the following statements best explains Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift?
Which statement best explains Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift? Volcanic activity slowly reshapes the continents throughout Earth’s geologic history. The continents shift locations as a result of major catastrophes like meteorite impacts and earthquakes.
How do plate tectonics affect the Earth?
Even though plates move very slowly, their motion, called plate tectonics , has a huge impact on our planet. Plate tectonics form the oceans, continents, and mountains. It also helps us understand why and where events like earthquakes occur and volcanoes erupt .
What did John Tuzo Wilson study?
(Tuzo) Wilson, John Tuzo Wilson received his first Bachelor of Arts degree in physics and geology from the University of Toronto in 1930 and his second shortly thereafter from Cambridge University. He earned his doctorate in geology from Princeton University in 1936.
How did John Tuzo Wilson explain the highly active volcanic islands of Hawaii?
Tuzo Wilson proposed that the Hawaiian islands formed when the crust of the Pacific Ocean floor moved over a source of heat arising from within the earth .
When did John Tuzo Wilson discover?
... transform faults by Canadian geophysicist J. Tuzo Wilson. Wilson argued that the offset between two......
