Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics

When we collide the whole planet feels it!

Plate tectonics is the study of plate motion. The word tectonics comes from the Greek word tekton,meaning builder. Plate movement is responsible for; mountain ranges, trenches, and rift valleys.

Evidence for movement and changes in the geosphere over time

Scientists believe that 250 million years ago the continents were formed together into one main continent called Pangea. One reason they believe this is because the material below the plates acts like a slow-moving fluid. Another reason this is widely believed is the fact that the sea floor was exposed to have patterns on it that when placed together seemed to not only fit with the continents but the materials in the sea floor fit as well. Thus the scientist were able to come up with a theory on how it broke apart.

This is a map that shows the breakup of Pangea.

The theory that earth fits together like a magnet is called Paleomagnetism. There is evidence from fossils that line up when the continents are fit together. Doing this creates very clear evidence that the continents, at one point, might have fit together.