Download Plate tectonics theory

Plate tectonics theory.
The plate tectonics theory is a theory that explains how the earth’s crust is split into
several plates that drift upon the mantel. On the edge of the plates the plates move
together and away from each other and by doing so they either push magma to the
surface, creating new land, or push solid rock under the surface to sustain the circulation.
This results in earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and fold mountains. The theory was
created by the German scientist Alfred Wegener. He noticed that the mainland’s all fitted
together as they had once been attached. To support his theory, scientist that were
measuring earth quakes in order to monitor experiments with nuclear weapons, noticed
that all earth quakes happened in the same spots, that is on the boundaries of the tectonic
plates. Now they realize it is not the mainland that drifts but the bottom of the ocean
which drags the mainland with it. The bottom of the ocean is born on a ridge where the
tectonic plates are pulled a part, then it moves on it lives journey towards where the
tectonic plates meet, where it is pushed under the surface to become magma again or to
be turned into fold mountains.
Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but that is a 75.000 km long ridge. It is one
of the most unique and one of the largest geological phenomena in the world. As Iceland
is situated on this rig, volcanic activity is very high. We also have hotspots and are inbetween to tectonic plates, and on a volcanic zone, making Iceland the most active spot in
the world.
20 volcanic eruptions take place in Iceland per century. Examples of active volcanos are
mount Hekla and mount Katla, but scientist have detect some recent activity in both
mountains and are estimation an eruption quite soon. Bárðabunga is the most active area
and Hekl second.