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What will happen to the rock cycle if the tectonic plates stop moving?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Let's take this step by step:
If the tectonic plates have stopped moving, that essentially means that the convection currents in the mantle which drive continental drift have stopped.
If the convection currents have stopped, there must be a reason for the halt; this would most likely be that the heat driving convection has stopped.
If there is no heat in the earth, hotspots cannot exist --> volcanoes cannot exist --> no lava --> no igneous rocks. There's one result.
Though metamorphic rocks do require pressure AND heat, all of that takes place in the crust (lithosphere) anyway, so they would not be affected. However, there would be less of a chance for those metamorphic rocks to emerge either as lava or through plate collisions, since we're assuming neither could happen (though there's probably a way).
So the rock cycle would basically become a rock path, with sedimentary rocks turning into metamorphic rocks. The sedimentary rocks, of course, can break down through weathering and reform through compaction, so you could have a miniature, self-feeding loop going there.
But that's about all I've got for you.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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What phenomenon is responsible for moving sedimentary and metamorphic rock into earths interior?
Plate Tectonics.
What process allows the tectonic plates to move?
Tectonic plates move due to a process called plate tectonics. It is driven by the movement of molten rock in the Earth's mantle, which causes the plates to slowly drift and collide with each other. This movement is caused by convection currents in the mantle, creating a continuous cycle of plate motion.
Which geochemical cycle involves mantle convection?
Tectonic
What layer are the continents sliding on?
well the continents are on the crust but when they slide it is becasue of the mantle when the convecton cycle of the magma is happening that cause the contunents to slide.
Which material is not moving in the rock cycle?
what type of material is not moving in the rock cycle
What is a tectonic cycle?
It is when the tectonic plates form and grow older.
What is the name for the process of recycling materials that make up the Earth's crust and mantle?
Subduction is the process of materials moving back into the earth at the boundary of tectonic plates.
How do tetonic plates cause natuaral disaster?
Well, tectonic plates cause natural disasters for a lot of reasons and cause many types of natural occurrences not always "disasters". 1. The first type of tectonic disaster is the tsunami "Japanese meaning big wave" which is caused when one tectonic plate is forced under the other. This can only happen under water to be a tsunami. 2. Another natural disaster is the volcano. Volcanos and mountains are formed when tectonic plates are forced against each other, but instead of going down, they both go up. An example of this is the Himalayas in Asia. The mountain range is still moving up, in fact Mt. Everest moves up at around 6 inches every year! That's way faster than Hillary Clintons chances to becoming president! 3. Another occurrence is when the plates move away from each other, this is called continental drift. You can see this in Iceland where the plates are moving away at about an inch a year. Remember when this happens new crust fills in from the bottom. The one thing that you have to remember about the plates is that they always are moving and it is one huge cycle.
How does the movement of tectonic plates contribute to the rock cycle?
Earths crust is made of several large tectonic plates. These plates slowly move in three ways. 2 plates may move along side each other, away from each other or toward each other. if 2 plates of equal density collide it will result in rocks being crumpled upward forming mountains. if one plate has less density then the other then the plate with more density will slide beneath the less dense plate
What phenomenon is responsible for moving sedimentary and metamorphic rock into earths interior?
Plate Tectonics.
What process allows the tectonic plates to move?
Tectonic plates move due to a process called plate tectonics. It is driven by the movement of molten rock in the Earth's mantle, which causes the plates to slowly drift and collide with each other. This movement is caused by convection currents in the mantle, creating a continuous cycle of plate motion.
Tectonic cycle consequences?
Tectonic cycle consequences may lead to a formation of new geographical features which might lead to the loss of lives.
What planets have a rock cycle?
Earth definitely does. Possibly Venus and Mars have (or have had) a rock cycle of some sort, too. However, Venus and Mars lack liquid water and tectonic plates, which are important in Earth's rock cycle. On Earth, the rock types involved in the cycle are igneous (of volcanic origin), sedimentary and metamorphic.
Why will pangea happen again?
pangea will happen again because of the rates plates move around per year. For example, hawaii is moving towards jappen about 8.3 cm per year and Maryland is moving away from england of 1.7 cm per year. it wont be the exact shape of what it once was, it would however be a supercontinent because the process seems to be much like a cycle
Which geochemical cycle involves mantle convection?
Tectonic
Are true statements?
Coal, oil, and natural gas are renewable energy sources. A mineral's hardness is its least informative property. Conglomerates are formed from regional metamorphism. The rock cycle is driven by the movement of tectonic plates.
What layer are the continents sliding on?
well the continents are on the crust but when they slide it is becasue of the mantle when the convecton cycle of the magma is happening that cause the contunents to slide.
