1)What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics?

2)What physical features are caused by plate tectonics?
3)What causes Earth's plates to move continuously?

1 Earth's crust is composed of rock plates that float on top of the mantle

2 the Mid-Atlantic ridge splitting Iceland
3 volcanoes are found on its rim
4 they release materials that form fertile soils
5 disturbance on the ocean floor
6 the breakdown of rock and sediments and smaller pieces
7 it forms from the remains of plants and animals
8 they both help reduce erosion from water runoff
9 it is a chemical weathering process in which oxygen combines with substances in Rock
10 Frost wedging
11 in folded mountains
12 it is a rock with pores

Hope this helps! Btw it does not count towards ur grade but it is 100% correct!

Study this.

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/plates1.html

Thanks, Ms.Sue! That was really helpful.

1) The Theory of Plate Tectonics is a scientific explanation for the movement and interaction of the Earth's lithospheric plates. It suggests that the Earth's outer layer, called the lithosphere, is divided into several rigid plates that float on a more ductile layer beneath, known as the asthenosphere. These plates are constantly moving, either towards, away from, or alongside each other. The theory explains various geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain formation, and the distribution of continents and oceans.

To learn more about the Theory of Plate Tectonics, you can start by referring to scientific textbooks, online articles, or educational websites. These sources will provide you with detailed explanations, diagrams, and animations that illustrate how the plates move and interact.

2) Plate tectonics can cause various physical features on Earth's surface. Some of the most notable features include:

- Mountain Ranges: When two plates collide, they can form convergent plate boundaries. The collision causes the Earth's crust to buckle and fold, leading to the formation of mountain ranges like the Himalayas.

- Volcanoes: Volcanic activity is commonly associated with plate boundaries, primarily the divergent and convergent boundaries. At divergent boundaries, new crust is created as magma rises from the asthenosphere, forming volcanic eruptions. At convergent boundaries, one plate is forced beneath another (subduction), resulting in the melting of rock that leads to volcanic eruptions.

- Rift Valleys: Rift valleys are created when the Earth's crust stretches and pulls apart at divergent plate boundaries. This process is seen most prominently in the East African Rift Valley, where the African Plate is slowly splitting into two.

- Earthquakes: The movement and interaction of plates can generate seismic activity known as earthquakes. Earthquakes often occur along plate boundaries, particularly at transform boundaries where plates slide past each other horizontally.

3) The continuous movement of Earth's plates is caused by the convective currents in the underlying asthenosphere. These currents are driven by the transfer of heat from the Earth's interior.

The Earth's core is extremely hot, heating up the rocks in the mantle. This causes the rock to become less dense and rise up towards the surface. As the heated rock rises, it cools and becomes denser, ultimately sinking back down towards the core. This convective flow in the asthenosphere creates a circular motion, dragging the overlying plates along with it.

It's important to note that the motion of the plates is not rapid or constant. The plates move at a very slow pace, typically a few centimeters per year, which makes their movement imperceptible over short periods of time.