Explain in a paragraph the theory of plate tectonics and how they have changed Earth’s surface over time. Include the role of plate tectonics in the cre
The theory of plate tectonics explains how the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These plates are constantly moving, interacting, and undergoing various processes. Firstly, there are three main types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent, and transform. At divergent boundaries, plates move apart, creating gaps that allow magma to rise from the mantle and form new crust. This process is responsible for the formation of oceanic ridges and rift valleys. Convergent boundaries occur when plates collide. Depending on the type of crust involved, different processes occur. Oceanic-continental convergence results in subduction, where one plate is forced beneath the other, forming mountain ranges and volcanoes. Oceanic-oceanic convergence leads to one plate subducting beneath the other, causing volcanic island arcs to form. Continental-continental convergence causes the crust to compress and fold, creating high mountain ranges. Finally, at transform boundaries, plates slide past each other horizontally, resulting in earthquakes. The movement and interactions of these plates have dramatically changed the Earth's surface over time, including the formation of mountain ranges, the creation of ocean basins, the emergence of volcanic islands and arcs, and the occurrence of earthquakes in specific regions.
