Plate Tectonics

What Is Meant By Plate Tectonics?

When it comes to the formulation of plate Tectonics, let us inform you that it was the 1960s when the same concept was formulated. According to the theory of plate tectonics, the planet- Earth has an outer shell further divided into numerous plates gilding over the mantle. The mantle is described as the rocky inner layer above the core. The plate is a much more complex and more rigid shell than the Earth’s mantle. This solid and rigid outer layer is the lithosphere and is approximately 100 km thick and overlies the asthenosphere (a plastic layer). 

The lithosphere is composed of seven or eight major plates and numerous minor ones. Every year, these plates move relative to each other at a rate ranging between 5 and 10 cm. When these plates meet, the relative motion of the plates determines the type of boundaries, including convergent, divergent, or transform. 

Such interactions of the plates are usually responsible for most of the seismic and volcanic activities of the Earth, such as volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain-building processes, formation of oceanic trench, etc. 

What are the Causes of the Plate Tectonics movement?

According to the researchers, there are three leading Causes of the Plate Tectonics movement:

1. The first leading cause is the mantle convection currents which are warm. These are responsible for carrying and driving the tectonic plates making up the lithosphere so that it resembles the conveyor belt.
2. The second cause for the shift in tectonic plates is the ridge push. The ridge push mainly occurs at the resilient upwelling mantle at the ridges, placed on the mid-ocean level. Now that the newly formed plate placed at the oceanic ridges are warm, their elevation is much higher than the colder and denser plates placed further in the ridge. The gravitational force causes the higher plates to push away the lithosphere placed further in the ridge.
3. Slab pull is the third cause of the shift in the tectonic plates. This special force takes place when the older plates start sinking. With the increase in the age of a Plate, it starts becoming colder, making it much denser compared to the mantle beneath it. When the colder plate starts to sink, it also pulls the warmer parts of the plate with it.

What Are The Types Of Plate Boundaries?

A plate boundary is a region where two or more plates come in contact with each other. There are mainly three types when it comes to the types of plate boundaries. These types result from how the plates shift relative to one another. These can be collectively known as the surface phenomena of distinct types. Here mentioned are the Types of plate boundaries:

• Divergent boundaries: The divergent plate boundaries take place whenever two tectonic plates move away from each other in opposite directions. This type of plate boundary causes earthquakes and also magma rises from the mantle to the Earth’s surface resulting in solidifying and thus, creating the new oceanic crust.
• Convergent boundaries: Whenever two tectonic plates come together in the same direction, the convergent plate boundaries occur. The colliding of the plates causes the edges of either or both plates to buckle up to form the mountain ranges. It is also possible that one plate bends down into a deep seafloor trench when colliding with the other. Both volcanoes and earthquakes are common in such types of boundaries.
• Transform boundaries: Transform plate boundaries occur when two plates slide above each other. The reason for such boundaries is the offset of the natural or human-made structures crossing the transform boundary. By offset here implies splitting into the pieces and carrying in the opposite direction. Earthquakes are the common natural hazards taking place due to transform plate boundaries.

  Conclusion

  Plate tectonics is an important topic when thinking of understanding the planet’s evolution. The shifting or movement of the tectonic plates is what built the continents, and these are the cause of why natural hazards like earthquakes or volcanoes take place on the Earth. 

  
  

  Not only this, but tectonic plates contribute a lot to the planet’s water cycle. Also, another thing that people might not be aware of is that mountains built due to the movement of tectonic plates affect the climate of Earth. 

  
  

  Therefore, now that you know the importance of studying tectonic plates, go through the article mentioned above and increase your knowledge.