Geology

8.

Plate Tectonics: A Unifying Theory

8.1.

Historical Precursors

8.1.1.

Continental Drift

8.1.1.1.

Alfred Wegener's Hypothesis

8.1.1.1.1.

Continental Fit

8.1.1.1.2.

Matching Geology

8.1.1.2.

Evidence for Continental Drift

8.1.1.2.1.

Fit of Continents

8.1.1.2.1.1.

Coastline Matching

8.1.1.2.1.2.

Continental Shelf Fit

8.1.1.2.2.

Fossil Evidence

8.1.1.2.2.1.

8.1.1.2.2.2.

8.1.1.2.2.3.

8.1.1.2.3.

Rock Types and Structures

8.1.1.2.3.1.

8.1.1.2.3.2.

Rock Formations

8.1.1.2.4.

Paleoclimatic Evidence

8.1.1.2.4.1.

Glacial Deposits

8.1.1.2.4.2.

8.1.1.3.

Rejection and Problems

8.1.1.3.1.

Lack of Mechanism

8.1.1.3.2.

Scientific Opposition

8.2.

Seafloor Spreading

8.2.1.

Discovery of Mid-Ocean Ridges

8.2.1.1.

Ocean Floor Mapping

8.2.1.2.

Ridge Characteristics

8.2.2.

Mechanism of Seafloor Spreading

8.2.2.1.

Harry Hess's Hypothesis

8.2.2.2.

Convection Currents

8.2.3.

Geomagnetic Reversals and Seafloor Magnetism

8.2.3.1.

Magnetic Stripes

8.2.3.2.

Vine-Matthews Hypothesis

8.2.3.3.

Confirmation of Spreading

8.3.

The Theory of Plate Tectonics

8.3.1.

Earth's Lithospheric Plates

8.3.1.1.

8.3.1.2.

8.3.1.3.

Plate Boundaries

8.3.1.3.1.

Divergent Boundaries

8.3.1.3.1.1.

Rifting Process

8.3.1.3.1.2.

Mid-Ocean Ridges

8.3.1.3.1.2.1.

Spreading Centers

8.3.1.3.1.2.2.

8.3.1.3.1.3.

Continental Rifts

8.3.1.3.1.3.1.

East African Rift

8.3.1.3.2.

Convergent Boundaries

8.3.1.3.2.1.

Oceanic-Continental Convergence

8.3.1.3.2.1.1.

Subduction Zones

8.3.1.3.2.1.2.

8.3.1.3.2.2.

Oceanic-Oceanic Convergence

8.3.1.3.2.2.1.

8.3.1.3.2.2.2.

Deep Ocean Trenches

8.3.1.3.2.3.

Continental-Continental Convergence

8.3.1.3.2.3.1.

Mountain Building

8.3.1.3.2.3.2.

Collision Zones

8.3.1.3.3.

Transform Boundaries

8.3.1.3.3.1.

Transform Faults

8.3.1.3.3.2.

Conservative Margins

8.3.1.3.3.3.

San Andreas Fault System

8.3.2.

Plate Interactions and Features

8.3.2.1.

Subduction Zones

8.3.2.1.1.

8.3.2.1.2.

Volcanic Activity

8.3.2.1.3.

Earthquake Patterns

8.3.2.2.

Collision Zones

8.3.2.2.1.

Mountain Ranges

8.3.2.2.2.

Crustal Thickening

8.3.2.3.

Transform Faults

8.3.2.3.1.

Strike-Slip Motion

8.3.2.3.2.

Offset Features

8.4.

Evidence for Plate Tectonics

8.4.1.

Hot Spots and Mantle Plumes

8.4.1.1.

Hawaiian Island Chain

8.4.1.2.

Yellowstone Hot Spot

8.4.1.3.

Fixed Hot Spots

8.4.2.

Earthquake Patterns

8.4.2.1.

8.4.2.2.

Focal Mechanisms

8.4.3.

Ocean Drilling Data

8.4.3.1.

Age of Ocean Floor

8.4.3.2.

Sediment Thickness

8.4.4.

Distribution of Volcanoes

8.4.4.1.

8.4.4.2.

8.4.5.

Paleomagnetic Evidence

8.4.5.1.

Apparent Polar Wandering

8.4.5.2.

Magnetic Reversals

8.5.

Driving Mechanisms of Plate Motion

8.5.1.

8.5.1.1.

Dense Oceanic Lithosphere

8.5.1.2.

Gravitational Force

8.5.2.

8.5.2.1.

Elevated Mid-Ocean Ridges

8.5.2.2.

Gravitational Sliding

8.5.3.

Mantle Convection

8.5.3.1.

Thermal Convection

8.5.3.2.

Convection Cells

8.5.4.

Role of Gravity and Density Differences

8.5.4.1.

8.5.4.2.

Density Contrasts

8.6.

Plate Tectonics and Earth's Evolution

8.6.1.

Supercontinent Cycles

8.6.1.1.

8.6.1.2.

8.6.1.3.

Future Supercontinents

8.6.2.

8.6.2.1.

Ocean Basin Evolution

8.6.3.

Tectonic Controls on Climate

8.6.4.

Tectonic Controls on Evolution

Previous

7. Geologic Time

Go to top

Next

9. Structural Geology: Deformation of the Crust