Plate Tectonics:
A theory that unifies many of the features and characteristics of continental drift and seafloor spreading into a coherent model and has revolutionized geologist understanding of continents, ocean basins, mountains, and Earth History.
A theory that unifies many of the features and characteristics of continental drift and seafloor spreading into a coherent model and has revolutionized geologist understanding of continents, ocean basins, mountains, and Earth History.
Continental Drift:
The lateral movement of continents resulting from the motion of crustal plates.
The lateral movement of continents resulting from the motion of crustal plates.
Pangaea:
The hypothetical landmass that existed when all continents were joined, from about 300 to 200 million years ago.
The hypothetical landmass that existed when all continents were joined, from about 300 to 200 million years ago.
Asthenosphere:
The region below the lithosphere,variously estimated as being from fifty to many hundred miles(85 to 700 km) thick.
The region below the lithosphere,variously estimated as being from fifty to many hundred miles(85 to 700 km) thick.
Lithosphere:
Solid portion of the Earth (crust of the Earth).
Solid portion of the Earth (crust of the Earth).
Mid-Oceanic Ridge:
A general term for an underwater mountain system that consists of various mountain ranges, typically having a valley known as a rift running along its spine.
A general term for an underwater mountain system that consists of various mountain ranges, typically having a valley known as a rift running along its spine.
Rift Valleys:
A subsea chasm extending along the crest of a mid-ocean ridge.
A subsea chasm extending along the crest of a mid-ocean ridge.
Subduction:
The process by which collision of the Earth's crustal plates results in one plate being drawn down or overridden by another
The process by which collision of the Earth's crustal plates results in one plate being drawn down or overridden by another