answersLogoWhite

0

The theory of plate tectonics explains that the Earth's surface is covered by large, rigid plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These tectonic plates constantly move due to convection currents caused by the heat from the Earth's interior. Their interactions at plate boundaries can lead to geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges. This theory unifies various geological observations and provides insights into the dynamic nature of the Earth's surface.

User Avatar

AnswerBot

6d ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What is a number of rigid but moving pieces of earths surface?

Tectonic plates are the rigid but moving pieces of Earth's surface that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. These plates interact at plate boundaries, leading to various geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation.


What help create volcanoes?

Volcanoes are created by the movement of tectonic plates on the Earth's surface. When two tectonic plates collide or move apart, magma from the mantle rises to the surface, eventually erupting through a volcano. Additionally, hotspots, subduction zones, and rift zones can also contribute to the formation of volcanoes.


How do fossils provide evidence for moving plates?

Their evidence comes from rocks at earths surface.


Earths lithosphere is broken into separate sections called?

tectonic plates. These plates move across the Earth's surface, interacting at plate boundaries where earthquakes and volcanic activity often occur. The movement of tectonic plates is responsible for shaping the Earth's surface through processes like mountain-building and oceanic trench formation.


Recronic plates make up earths what?

Recronic plates make up Earth's lithosphere, which is the rigid outer layer of the Earth. These tectonic plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them and are responsible for various geological processes, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains. The movement and interaction of these plates shape the planet's surface over geological time.

Related Questions

What theory of the formation and movement of the plates that cover the earths surface?

the movement and formation of the plates or continents is caused by conduction under the crust.


What is the theory of formation and movement of the plates that cover the earths surface?

the movement and formation of the plates or continents is caused by conduction under the crust.


Explain two ways that the movement of earths plates changes the surface of earth?

The movement of Earth's plates can cause earthquakes when plates collide, separate, or slide past each other. Additionally, the movement of plates can create volcanic activity along plate boundaries, leading to the formation of new landforms such as mountains or island chains.


How is an earhquake started?

An earthquake is started when two plates (which lie under the Earths surface) rub together this creates movement which then sometimes pulls/pushes at the earths surface and creates giant cracks in the earths surface... and that is how an earthquake is started.


How does energy in earths interior cause changes to earths surface?

The energy from the core of the earth causes currents in the molten layers, the way there are currents in the ocean. These currents are what causes the Tectonic Plates to move along the surface of the earth.


What are plate movement?

the movement of earths plates or crust


What forces below earth surface shape landforms?

The tectonic plates below earths surface shape earths landforms


How does the surface of the earth change when two continental plates collide?

The Earths surface changes shape when plates collide when the earths surface overlaps or when there are Earthquakes.


What is the process by which the continents move slowly across the earths surface called?

The process by which continents move slowly across the Earth's surface is called plate tectonics. This movement is driven by the continuous shifting of large geological plates that make up the Earth's outer shell. The movement of these plates can result in phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges.


What theory explains the movement of the pieces of earths surface?

theory of plate tectonics


What are two ways the movement of earths plates changes the earths surface?

The movement of Earth's plates can create geological features like mountains and volcanoes through processes such as subduction and continental collision. It can also lead to earthquakes when plates shift along faults in the Earth's crust.


What is a number of rigid but moving pieces of earths surface?

Tectonic plates are the rigid but moving pieces of Earth's surface that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. These plates interact at plate boundaries, leading to various geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation.