Download ISN- Insert Plate Tectonics for Cornell Notes

Notes: Plate Tectonics
Notes: Plate Tectonics
What Are Plate Tectonics?
Earth’s lithosphere is broken into sections separated by cracks in Earth’s crust,
or faults. They fit closely together and carry the continents, or parts of the ocean
floor, or both. In the mid-1960s, geologists combined what they knew about seafloor spreading, Earth’s plates, and plate motion into a single theory called plate
tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics states that Earth’s plates are in slow,
constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle. It explains the
formation, movement, and subduction of Earth’s plates.
What Are Plate Tectonics?
Earth’s lithosphere is broken into sections separated by cracks in Earth’s crust,
or faults. They fit closely together and carry the continents, or parts of the ocean
floor, or both. In the mid-1960s, geologists combined what they knew about seafloor spreading, Earth’s plates, and plate motion into a single theory called plate
tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics states that Earth’s plates are in slow,
constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle. It explains the
formation, movement, and subduction of Earth’s plates.
How Do Lithospheric Plates Move?
Earth’s plates float on top of the asthenosphere. Convection currents rise in
the asthenosphere and spread out beneath the lithosphere, causing the
movement of Earth’s plates. Heat from the core and the mantle itself causes the
circular motion in the mantle. Many geologists think plumes of mantle rock rise
slowly from the bottom of the mantle toward the top. The hot rock eventually
cools and sinks back through the mantle.
How Do Lithospheric Plates Move?
Earth’s plates float on top of the asthenosphere. Convection currents rise in the
asthenosphere and spread out beneath the lithosphere, causing the movement of
Earth’s plates. Heat from the core and the mantle itself causes the circular motion
in the mantle. Many geologists think plumes of mantle rock rise slowly from the
bottom of the mantle toward the top. The hot rock eventually cools and sinks
back through the mantle.
What Is A Divergent Boundary?
Plates move apart, or diverge, from each other at a divergent boundary. Most
divergent boundaries occur along the mid-ocean ridges, where new crust is added
during sea-floor spreading. Where pieces of Earth’s crust diverge on land, a deep
valley called a rift valley forms where the crust is slowly pulling apart over a wide
area.
What Is A Divergent Boundary?
Plates move apart, or diverge, from each other at a divergent boundary. Most
divergent boundaries occur along the mid-ocean ridges, where new crust is added
during sea-floor spreading. Where pieces of Earth’s crust diverge on land, a deep
valley called a rift valley forms where the crust is slowly pulling apart over a wide
area.
What Is A Convergent Boundary?
Plates come together, or converge, at a convergent boundary. The density of
the plates determines which one comes out on top. Where two plates carrying
oceanic crust meet at a trench, the plate that is denser sinks under the less dense
plate and returns to the mantle, also known as subduction. A plate carrying
oceanic crust can also collide with a plate carrying continental crust where the
more dense oceanic crust can push up the less dense continental crust. The result
can be mountain ridges and volcanoes. Two plates carrying continental crust can
collide creating high mountain ranges as neither plate is denser than the other.
What Is A Convergent Boundary?
Plates come together, or converge, at a convergent boundary. The density of
the plates determines which one comes out on top. Where two plates carrying
oceanic crust meet at a trench, the plate that is denser sinks under the less dense
plate and returns to the mantle, also known as subduction. A plate carrying
oceanic crust can also collide with a plate carrying continental crust where the
more dense oceanic crust can push up the less dense continental crust. The result
can be mountain ridges and volcanoes. Two plates carrying continental crust can
collide creating high mountain ranges as neither plate is denser than the other.
What Is A Transform Boundary?
Plates slip past each other, moving in the opposite direction, along a transform
boundary. Crust is neither created nor destroyed at transform boundaries;
however, the tremendous pressure build-up causes frequent earthquakes.
What Is A Transform Boundary?
Plates slip past each other, moving in the opposite direction, along a transform
boundary. Crust is neither created nor destroyed at transform boundaries;
however, the tremendous pressure build-up causes frequent earthquakes.