I CAN Statements Theory of Plate Tectonics

Explain each type of plates interactions, and give example of the end
result(s) i.e. geological features [L2]

A scientific revolution begins

PALEOMAGNETISM
(evidence of past magnetism preserved in the rocks)

was the most convincing evidence set forth

to support the concepts of continental drift
[polar wandering] and seafloor spreading
[magnetic reversals].

 Basalt is rich in iron-bearing materials, like

magnetite.

As the basalt lava cools, the Fe-bearing

minerals become oriented parallel to the
Earths magnetic field.

 As the lava hardens, the magnetic

orientation is preserved and provides a
record of the current Earths magnetic field.

Theory of Plate Tectonics

From the hypotheses of Continental Drift and
Seafloor Spreading was formulated the
Theory of Plate Tectonics
TECTONICS is the study of the features of
the Earths crust [tektonikos = construction]

Theory of Plate Tectonics

The Earths crust and rigid upper mantle
[LITHOSPHERE] are broken into huge slabs
or plates.
Those plates are riding/floating onto the
asthenosphere [like wood blocks on water],
at different rates and different directions.

Directions and rates of plate motions

Subduction

Spreading

The oceans and the

continents are carried
as
passengers onto the moving
plates.

The constant movement of those

plates is responsible for the
changes to the Earths surface
by the way of:

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EARTHQUAKES

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MOUNTAIN RANGES

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8 major plates:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

North American
South American
Eurasian
African
Pacific [largest]
Indian/ Australian
Antarctica
Nazca

The minor ones:

Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Caribbean, Scotia,
Arabian, Philippine

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BOUNDARIES
Tectonic plates interact at places called
BOUNDARIES.
The continents / oceans do not
necessarily resemble the outline of the
plate boundaries.
There are three types of boundaries
Divergent
Convergent
Transform

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Divergent Boundaries
Two plates moving AWAY from each other
and forming a gap or RIFT.
Mostly associated with OCEANIC crust
[seafloor spreading = Mid-Atlantic Ridge]
as molten rock [MAGMA] from the
asthenosphere rises the plates move apart,
and fills the space between the plates.
as it cools, it hardens onto the edges of the
plates and creates new crust.

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DIVERGENT PLATES

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Divergent Boundaries
Some involve the CONTINENTAL crust
when it begins to separate, the stretched crust
forms a long, narrow, depression called a
RIFT VALLEY
it is currently happening between the African and
Arabian plates Red Sea is therefore widening

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DIVERGENT

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RIFT VALLEYS

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Mediterranean Sea

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Divergent Boundaries
Some involve the CONTINENTAL crust
the crust can also stretch to the point of forming FISSURE
VOLCANOES

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Convergent Boundaries
Two plates moving TOWARDS each other.
Direct COLLISION of one plate with
another one.
There are three POSSIBILITIES:
CONTINENTAL OCEANIC
OCEANIC OCEANIC
CONTINENTAL CONTINENTAL
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CONTINENTAL - OCEANIC
As the plates are colliding, the denser plate will be
forced downwards
Since oceanic crust is denser than the continental
crust [3.0 vs. 2.7g/cm3], the ocean plate is pushed
under continental plate. [crust destruction]
The area is called a SUBDUCTION ZONE, and
forms a deep-ocean trench
As the plate sinks into the asthenosphere, it melts
and becomes magma. The magma rises through the
continental plate [WHY?] and forms a volcanic chain
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OCEANIC CONTINENTAL

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Mount Hood near Portland, Oregon

Cascades range

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Mount St. Helens, Washington

Cascades range

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Volcanic mountains of the Andes,

(Nazca and South American Plates)

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TRENCH

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OCEANIC OCEANIC
The more dense of the 2 will go under and form
a subduction zone / OCEAN TRENCH
The new mantle material produced from the
melting of the subducted plate will eventually
resurface to produce chain of volcanic islands
on the ocean floor called ISLAND ARCS
As magma accumulates over time, the
volcanoes may rise above sea level to form
volcanic islands:
Mariana trench and
the Mariana Islands in the west Pacific ocean
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OCEANIC-OCEANIC CONVERGENCE

DESTRUCTIVE
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CONVERGENT PLATES

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CONTINENTAL - CONTINENTAL
As the 2 continental plates are colliding, neither
plate is subducted i.e. neither plate goes
beneath the other WHY?
because the Continental crust is too buoyant to sink
into the asthenosphere
[2.7 vs. 3.3 to 5.5g/cm3]

The colliding edges buckle [crumple] and are

pushed upward [uplift] to form
mountain
ranges.
Indian/Australian plate collide with the Eurasian
plate to form the HIMALAYAS.
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CONTINENTAL CONTINENTAL CONVERGENCE

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The collision of India and Asia

produced the Himalayas (before)

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The collision of India and Asia

produced the Himalayas (after)

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Mountain Building

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