Answer: Option D, Continents cannot cut through the ocean floor . Explanation: It was believed earlier that oceans were the land bridges that used to connect different geologic plates of planet earth earlier, had now sank down and thus there exists no connection between the tectonic plates.
Which was an idea used to promote the theory of plate tectonics?
The main idea that Wegener and others had was that modern continents formed a single landmass in the past . This idea was supported by simple observations like the fact that South-American and African coastlines fit so well, or that we can find the same fossils in similar sedimentary rocks on both continents.
Which was an argument used to dispute the theory of plate tectonics answers com?
Answer: Option D, Continents cannot cut through the ocean floor . Explanation: It was believed earlier that oceans were the land bridges that used to connect different geologic plates of planet earth earlier, had now sank down and thus there exists no connection between the tectonic plates.
What is the thought to be the main driving force behind plate movements?
The motion of tectonic plates is driven by convection in the mantle . In simple terms, convection is the idea that dense, cold things sink, and buoyant, warm things rise.
What are 3 pieces of evidence that support the theory of 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.
What is a divergent boundary?
A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other . Along these boundaries, earthquakes are common and magma (molten rock) rises from the Earth’s mantle to the surface, solidifying to create new oceanic crust. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of divergent plate boundaries.
What is subduction When and why does it occur?
Subduction is a geological process in which the oceanic lithosphere is recycled into the Earth’s mantle at convergent boundaries . Where the oceanic lithosphere of a tectonic plate converges with the less dense lithosphere of a second plate, the heavier plate dives beneath the second plate and sinks into the mantle.
What is best explained by plate tectonics?
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.
Who is the father of plate tectonic theory?
The “Father of Plate Tectonics”, Alfred Wegener proposed “Continental Drift” in 1912, but was ridiculed by fellow scientists. It would take another 50 years for the concept to be accepted.
Why is plate tectonic a theory?
Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains how major landforms are created as a result of Earth’s subterranean movements . The theory, which solidified in the 1960s, transformed the earth sciences by explaining many phenomena, including mountain building events, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
What drives the plate to move?
Research has shown that the major driving force for most plate movement is slab pull , because the plates with more of their edges being subducted are the faster-moving ones. However, ridge push is also presented in recent research to be a force that drives the movement of plates.
What are the 3 causes of plate movement?
Mantle dynamics, gravity, and Earth’s rotation taken altogether causes the plate movements. However, convectional currents are the general thought for the motion.
What happens when two tectonic plates meet?
If two tectonic plates collide, they form a convergent plate boundary . Usually, one of the converging plates will move beneath the other, a process known as subduction. ... The new magma (molten rock) rises and may erupt violently to form volcanoes, often building arcs of islands along the convergent boundary.
How many tectonic plates are there?
how many tectonic plates are there? There are major, minor and micro tectonic plates. There are seven major plates : African, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, Pacific and South American.
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 are the two theories behind why tectonic plates move?
Why do plates move? One explanation for plate movements is slab pull . Plates are extremely heavy so gravity acts upon them, pulling them apart. Alternatively, as shown in the diagram, convection currents under the Earth’s crust transfer heat, which rises through the surface and cools back down in a circular motion.
