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Plate tectonic theory arose out of the hypothesis of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912[6] and expanded in his 1915 book The Origin of Continents and Oceans. He suggested that the present continents once formed a single land mass that drifted apart, thus releasing the continents from the Earth's core and likening them to "icebergs" of low density granite floating on a sea of denser basalt.[7][8] But without detailed evidence and a force sufficient to drive the movement, the theory was not generally accepted: the Earth might have a solid crust and a liquid core, but there seemed to be no way that portions of the crust could move around. Later science supported theories proposed by English geologist Arthur Holmes in 1920 that plate junctions might lie beneath the sea and Holmes' 1928 suggestion of convection currents within the mantle as the driving force.[3][9][10]

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How does radiation effect plate tectonics?

Radiation does not directly affect plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is driven by heat from the Earth's interior and the movement of tectonic plates, while radiation comes from sources such as the sun and nuclear reactions. Radiation can cause heating in the Earth's interior, which may indirectly contribute to tectonic activity, but it is not a primary driver of plate tectonics.


How do volcanoes help plate tectonics?

Volcanoes don't help plate tectonics; volcanoes are the result of plate tectonics.


Did albert Einstein do anything with plate tectonics?

No, Albert Einstein did not make significant contributions to the field of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics theory was developed in the mid-20th century by scientists like Alfred Wegener and Harry Hess. Einstein, known for his work in physics, did not directly study or contribute to this geoscience discipline.


Whose idea later assisted in the recognition of wegener's theory?

Arthur Holmes's idea of mantle convection helped provide a mechanism for plate tectonics, which later supported the recognition of Wegener's theory of continental drift. Holmes's work contributed to advancing the understanding of Earth's geology and the movement of continents.


How does Plate Tectonics contribute to or cause global warming rather than humankind?

Plate tectonics does not directly contribute to global warming. The primary driver of current global warming is human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat. Plate tectonics do play a role in releasing volcanic gases, but their impact on global warming is minimal compared to human activities.

Related Questions

When was Arthur Holmes' theory proved?

Arthur Holmes' theory of plate tectonics was not proven by a single event or discovery. Instead, it was gradually accepted as more evidence from seafloor spreading, magnetic anomalies, earthquakes, and volcanic activity supported the theory. Holmes' work laid the foundation for the development of the modern theory of plate tectonics.


What was Arthur Holmes 1928 theory?

Arthur Holmes 1928 theory described plate tectonics and a modern view of the solid Earth. He pioneered the use of radioactive dating of minerals, and understood the mechanical and thermal implications of mantle convection, which was a basis for plate tectonics.


Was Arthur Holmes a geologist?

Yes, Arthur Holmes was a prominent geologist known for his work on radioactive dating and mantle convection. His research laid the groundwork for understanding Earth's deep structure and the concept of plate tectonics.


Who is founder of plate tectonics?

Alfred Wegener is often credited as the founder of the theory of plate tectonics, although his ideas were not widely accepted until many years after his death in 1930. The theory was further developed and confirmed by scientists such as Arthur Holmes, Harry Hess, and Robert Dietz.


What was Arthur Holmes theory o drifting continents?

Arthur Holmes proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century. He suggested that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called "Pangaea" and have since drifted apart due to the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. Holmes' hypothesis laid the groundwork for the modern theory of plate tectonics.


Who thought of plate tectonics theory?

The theory of plate tectonics was developed through the contributions of several scientists, including Alfred Wegener, who proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century. Later research by Harry Hess and Robert Dietz provided evidence for seafloor spreading, leading to the development of the modern plate tectonics theory in the 1960s.


How does radiation effect plate tectonics?

Radiation does not directly affect plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is driven by heat from the Earth's interior and the movement of tectonic plates, while radiation comes from sources such as the sun and nuclear reactions. Radiation can cause heating in the Earth's interior, which may indirectly contribute to tectonic activity, but it is not a primary driver of plate tectonics.


Who came up with the theory of plates tectonics?

J.T Wilson was the one who came up with the theory of plate tectonics. Harry Hess came up with the theory of sea-floor spreading. Alfred Wegener came up with the theory of continental drift and Arthur Holmes proposed a suitable mechanism for this to occur (mantle convection).


How do volcanoes help plate tectonics?

Volcanoes don't help plate tectonics; volcanoes are the result of plate tectonics.


What is The theory that describes large scales movements of the lithosphere called?

Plate tectonics


How do plate tectonics contribute to global warming?

Plate tectonics form volcanoes, which release large amounts of water vapour everyday. Water vapour contribute the most to global warming. When volcanoes erupt, large amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are released into the air.


Did albert Einstein do anything with plate tectonics?

No, Albert Einstein did not make significant contributions to the field of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics theory was developed in the mid-20th century by scientists like Alfred Wegener and Harry Hess. Einstein, known for his work in physics, did not directly study or contribute to this geoscience discipline.