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Chapter 10 Section 3: Theory of Plate Tectonics

Chapter 10 Section 3: Theory of Plate Tectonics. Plate Movements. 1960s- scientists developed a new theory that combined continental drift and seafloor spreading. According to the theory of plate tectonics Earth’s crust and part of the upper mantle are broken into sections.

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Chapter 10 Section 3: Theory of Plate Tectonics

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  1. Chapter 10 Section 3: Theory of Plate Tectonics

  2. Plate Movements • 1960s- scientists developed a new theory that combined continental drift and seafloor spreading. • According to the theory of plate tectonics Earth’s crust and part of the upper mantle are broken into sections.

  3. Composition of Plates • The plates are made up of the crust and the top part of the mantle, which is called the lithosphere. • The plastic like layer that the plates move on is called the asthenosphere. • Draw the diagram on page 308

  4. Plate Boundaries • Plates can move 3 ways: • Towards each other • Away from each other • Slide past each other

  5. Plates Moving Apart • The boundary between two plates moving apart is called a divergent boundary. • This causes rift valleys and seafloor spreading.

  6. Plates Moving Together • When the boundary between two plates is moving together it is called a convergent boundary. • This causes mountains, ridges, and volcanoes. • Convergent continental to continental plates causes mountains. • Convergent continental to oceanic plates causes volcanoes. • Volcanoes are formed by subductionzones

  7. When Plates Slide Past • When plate boundaries slide past each other it is called a transform boundary. • This causes earthquakes and fault lines.

  8. Causes of Plate Tectonic • The moving plates is thought to be caused by a convection current. • A convection current is the cycle of heating, rising, cooling, and sinking of the material inside the mantle.

  9. Testing for Plate Tectonics • Scientists can use satellites and lasers that measure exact movement of Earth’s plates. • Data shows that Hawaii is moving towards Japan at a rate of 8.3 cm per year. • Maryland is moving away from England at a rate of 1.7 cm per year. • On average, the plates move at a rate of 2 cm per year.

  10. Chapter 11 Section 3

  11. Earth Layers • The crust is about 25 miles thick, and is composed of solid rock. • The mantle is mostly solid rock, and is about 1,800 miles thick. • The outer core is mostly molten (liquid) iron, and is about 1,429 miles thick. • The inner core is mostly solid iron and is about 750 miles thick. It is thought to be hotter than the surface of the sun. • Draw the diagram on page 348

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