Plate Tectonics Paper
Running Head: Plate Tectonics Paper
Plate Tectonics Paper
University of Phoenix
Plate Tectonics Paper Earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains and the Earth’s crust are unique yet have one common denominator; the amazing topic of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics has a place or specifically places a role in each of these natural wonders of the world. In the following, Team C will discuss the theory of plate tectonics and how the theory shaped the form and composition of the movement within the Midwest region of the United States. A discussion of various geological events and the types of rocks that formed because of these events will also be covered including the importance of the economic value of these rocks to the Midwest region of the United States.
Theory of Plate Tectonics
According to Tarbuck and Lutgens (2006) the theory of plate tectonics is “the theory that proposes that Earth’s outer shell consists of individual plates that interact in various ways and thereby produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and the crust itself.”
The theory was established in the 1960s and the 1970s as information was gained about the ocean floor, distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, the interior of Earth and how heat is distributed, and the worldwide knowledge of plant and fossil distribution. The theory is based on Earth’s outermost layer, the lithosphere, and how this layer is broken into seven large plates. The plates include the African, North American, South American, Eurasian, Australian, Antarctic, and Pacific plates (COTF, 2005). The plates move in different directions and at different speeds sometimes crashing into one another. This crashing point is known as plate boundaries, and depending on how the plates meet or crash into each other depends on the type of plate boundary it is known by. Three specific types of plate boundaries exist; divergent boundaries in which plates move apart, convergent boundaries in which plates move together (one
Plate Tectonics Paper
University of Phoenix
Plate Tectonics Paper Earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains and the Earth’s crust are unique yet have one common denominator; the amazing topic of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics has a place or specifically places a role in each of these natural wonders of the world. In the following, Team C will discuss the theory of plate tectonics and how the theory shaped the form and composition of the movement within the Midwest region of the United States. A discussion of various geological events and the types of rocks that formed because of these events will also be covered including the importance of the economic value of these rocks to the Midwest region of the United States.
Theory of Plate Tectonics
According to Tarbuck and Lutgens (2006) the theory of plate tectonics is “the theory that proposes that Earth’s outer shell consists of individual plates that interact in various ways and thereby produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and the crust itself.”
The theory was established in the 1960s and the 1970s as information was gained about the ocean floor, distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, the interior of Earth and how heat is distributed, and the worldwide knowledge of plant and fossil distribution. The theory is based on Earth’s outermost layer, the lithosphere, and how this layer is broken into seven large plates. The plates include the African, North American, South American, Eurasian, Australian, Antarctic, and Pacific plates (COTF, 2005). The plates move in different directions and at different speeds sometimes crashing into one another. This crashing point is known as plate boundaries, and depending on how the plates meet or crash into each other depends on the type of plate boundary it is known by. Three specific types of plate boundaries exist; divergent boundaries in which plates move apart, convergent boundaries in which plates move together (one
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