I need an overview of how plate tectonics affect sedimentation, im just not getting it
Here are a number of sites on plate tectonics and sedimentation:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=how+plate+tectonics+affect+sedimentation&btnG=Google+Search
Heat release from the core and mantle drives ocean floor spreading. The plates are pushed by subduction at the edges, pus comes to shove and sedimentary rock is folded bent and subducted as a result
Plate tectonics have a significant impact on sedimentation processes on Earth's surface. To understand how plate tectonics affect sedimentation, we can break down the interplay between these two processes.
1. Subduction Zones: Subduction zones occur where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, creating a convergent boundary. As the oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate, it generates intense heat and pressure, leading to the formation of volcanic activity. Volcanic eruptions release ash and lava, which, when cooled and solidified, form igneous rocks. These volcanic materials, along with sediments carried by rivers, can contribute to the buildup of sedimentary layers during subduction.
2. Mountain Building: Plate convergence also leads to the creation of mountain ranges through a process called orogenesis. When two continental plates collide, their edges crumple and fold, uplifting the Earth's crust and forming mountains. As mountains rise, erosion and weathering occur, breaking down rocks into smaller sediments. These sediments are then transported by wind, water, or ice and are deposited in nearby valleys, basins, or even oceans.
3. Rift Zones: In contrast to subduction zones, rift zones occur where tectonic plates move apart, creating divergent boundaries. As the plates separate, magma rises from the Earth's mantle, creating a gap-filled with molten rock. This material solidifies into basaltic rock forms, which can contribute to sedimentation. Additionally, the separation of plates can create depressions or basins, which can also provide locations for sediments to accumulate.
4. Transform Boundaries: Transform boundaries occur when two tectonic plates slide past one another horizontally. Along these boundaries, crustal rocks can experience fracturing and faulting, which create cracks in the Earth's surface. These fractures form weak areas where sediments can accumulate, often leading to sedimentation in fault lines or nearby basins.
Overall, plate tectonics influence sedimentation by creating diverse geological environments where sediments can accumulate. These environments range from subduction zones with volcanic activities to collision zones forming mountains, rift zones with basaltic rocks, and fault lines in transform boundaries. Understanding the specific tectonic setting and associated processes is crucial for comprehending how plate tectonics affect sedimentation in different regions of the Earth.