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Assignment - 1 (10%)
Your first assignment includes the partice questions 2.3, 2.6, 2.7 at the end of the text book.
2.3. How has the interpretation of earth changed in past several decades?
A: Initially, the earth was considered to be a homogeneous accumulation of rock material. Our modern
understanding of earth's structure was formed at 60's and 70's. With the use of technology such as the topographic
analyses, rock samples, volcanoes and seismic waves provided a better understanding of the earth structure. The
current interpretation of the earth structure comprises three major layers; crust, mantle and core. Crust is divided into
oceanic and continental portions. The dynamic interaction between these layers is explained with plate tectonics.
2.6. Summarize the various lines of evidence that we incorporated into the theory of plate tectonics?
A: Wegener's lines of evidence
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Earth's continents would fit together like a puzzle.
The structural trends, mountain belts and rock types in different pieces of this puzzle are continuous.
Fossil evidences found connecting pieces also support that they were together once.
The same rock types formed under different climatic conditions support the fact that they were one
together.
2.7. Describe each major type of plate boundary. How can these boundaries be recognized at earth's surface?
A: Three types of plate boundaries exist.
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Divergent: They occur when the plates at each side of the boundary move away from each other. They can
be recognized via mid-oceanic ridges at the oceans and continental rifts at the land.
Convergent: They occur when the plates at each side of the boundary move towards each other. They can
be recognized at trenches in ocean floors.
Transforming: They occur when the plates at each side of the boundary slide trough each other. They can
be recognized at transform faults.
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