Plate Tectonic
Theory
Theory
Who proposed the plate tectonic theory?
John T Wilson proposed the plate tectonic theory
Who proposed the continental drift theory?
Alfred Wegener proposed the continental drift theory
What is the lithosphere?
The lithosphere is the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle
What is the asthenosphere?
The asthenosphere is part of the upper mantle, beneath the lithosphere. It plays a very important role in tectonic plates
How many plate boundaries are there?
There are three different plate boundaries
What does the plate tectonic theory state?
The plate tectonic theory states that Earth's outer shell (lithosphere) is divided into several plates that glide over the Earth's rocky inner layer above the soft core (mantle)
What does the continental drift theory state?
The continental drift theory states that at one point in time, all of the continents were joined together as one large mass of land, and then the land spread apart and drifted into its current position.
Where is the lithosphere located?
The lithosphere is located between the crust and the asthenosphere. It is mostly in the crust and upper mantle
Where is the asthenosphere located?
The asthenosphere is part of the upper mantle located between Earth's crust
What is a divergent boundary?
A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other
What are tectonic plates?
Tectonic plates are large slabs of rock that divide Earth's crust
What is it called when all the continents are clumped together in one giant continent?
When all the continents are clumped together in one giant continent it is called a Pangea
What are the two types of lithosphere?
The two types of the lithosphere are the oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere
What is the asthenosphere made out of?
The asthenosphere is made of mostly magnesium and iron, with some silicon
What is a convergent boundary?
A convergent boundary is when two plates come together
How many tectonic plates are there?
There are seven major and eight minor tectonic plates
What evidence do we have that supports the continental drift theory?
Our evidence that supports the continental drift theory is that it looks like a jigsaw puzzle. Another piece of evidence is how all the fossils are distributed there may be one fossil on one continent and the same fossil on another
What is the lithosphere made out of?
The lithosphere is made out of the brittle crust and the top part of the upper mantle
Is the asthenosphere a solid or liquid?
The asthenosphere is a solid
What is a transform boundary?
A transform boundary causes a fault between two plates of the lithosphere, which will slide past one another.
What does the plate tectonic theory explain?
The plate tectonic theory explains how the Earth's surface is composed of large, rigid plates that move around on the Earth's surface over time.
What problems are there with the continental drift theory?
The problem with the continental drift theory is that there is no mechanism for the movement of continents. Wind and currents could have moved the fossils around. Lastly, scientists didn’t accept Wegener's theory
What happens in the lithosphere?
In the lithosphere, thermal energy makes the rocks of the lithosphere more elastic. The lithosphere is also responsible for earthquakes and volcanos
What does the asthenosphere do?
The asthenosphere plays a very important role in plate tectonic movement. The convection currents also are located in the asthenosphere.
What landforms do transform boundaries create?
Transform boundaries create fault lines and rift valleys