What is the difference between continental drift theory and plate tectonic theory?
The difference between continental drift and plate tectonics is that the theory of continental drift states that the world was made up of a single continent. The theory of plate-tectonics, on the other hand, states that earth’s surface is broken into numbers of shifting plates or slabs.
What is the theory of plate tectonics distinguish between continental drift seafloor spreading and plate tectonics what evidence was used to support the theory of plate tectonics?
Continental drift is a hypothesis that suggests that earth’s continents move over time. Seafloor spreading is a theory that states that new ocean crust forms along mid-ocean ridges. Evidence to support plate tectonics includes magnetic studies of the seafloor, satellite imaging, & seismic studies.
What are the two theories behind why tectonic plates move?
Why do plates move? One explanation for plate movements is slab pull. Plates are extremely heavy so gravity acts upon them, pulling them apart. Alternatively, as shown in the diagram, convection currents under the Earth’s crust transfer heat, which rises through the surface and cools back down in a circular motion.
How are tectonic plates dangerous?
Most of the world’s earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions are caused by the continuous motions of the many tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s outer shell. The most powerful of these natural hazards occur in subduction zones, where two plates collide and one is thrust beneath another.
What are the tectonic plates made of?
A tectonic plate (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere. Plate size can vary greatly, from a few hundred to thousands of kilometers across; the Pacific and Antarctic Plates are among the largest.
How deep do tectonic plates go?
A new study, released last week in Science, may put that final debate to rest. Using seismological data taken from every continent in the world, the paper finds that continental plates begin between 80 and 120 miles below the surface.
What is the most common type of earthquake?
tectonic earthquakes
What are the 3 fault types?
Different types of faults include: normal (extensional) faults; reverse or thrust (compressional) faults; and strike-slip (shearing) faults.
What is the 3 types of earthquake?
Three Kinds of Earthquakes
- Shallow fault earthquakes. A fault is a break in the rock beneath our feet.
- Subduction zone earthquakes. The largest earthquakes ever recorded are subduction zone earthquakes.
- Deep earthquakes. Deep earthquakes occur in the subducting ocean slab, deep beneath the continental crust.