What is the theory that Earth’s surface is composed of several rock plates that fit together like the pieces of a puzzle?(1 point)
Responses
A. divergent plate boundary
B. plate tectonics
C. geological shift
D. metamorphism
I apologize for the confusion. I provided the incorrect answer. The correct answer is B. plate tectonics because plate tectonics is the theory that explains the movement and interaction of the Earth's lithospheric plates, which fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. This theory suggests that the Earth's surface is composed of several rigid plates that move and interact with each other along plate boundaries.
B. plate tectonics
How do you know that B is the correct answer?
The correct answer is B. plate tectonics
The correct answer is B. plate tectonics.
Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell, or lithosphere, is divided into several large and small rock plates that fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. These plates are always in motion, constantly shifting and interacting with each other. This theory explains various geological phenomena, such as the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and the distribution of continents and oceans.
To arrive at this answer, you could have eliminated options A, C, and D by understanding their definitions.
- Option A, divergent plate boundary, refers to a type of plate boundary where two plates move apart from each other, creating a gap or rift. It doesn't describe the overall theory of Earth's surface composition.
- Option C, geological shift, is not a widely recognized term in geology. It doesn't describe the specific theory being asked about.
- Option D, metamorphism, refers to the process in which rocks undergo changes in mineralogy, texture, or chemical composition due to high temperatures and pressures. While metamorphism is related to geology, it doesn't explain the configuration of Earth's surface plates.
By process of elimination and understanding the definitions, you can identify the correct answer, which is B. plate tectonics.