PlateTectonics: Difference between revisions
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==What are Plate Tectonics?== | ==What are Plate Tectonics?== | ||
The earth's crust is made up of a collection of crustal plates that may slowly shift over time. Plate tectonics are the movements of these plates towards (converging), away (diverging), or against (transforming) each other in response to sea floor spreading.<ref name="palaces"> | The earth's crust is made up of a collection of crustal plates that may slowly shift over time. Plate tectonics are the movements of these plates towards (converging), away (diverging), or against (transforming) each other in response to sea floor spreading.<ref name="palaces">Sty</ref> | ||
In areas of converging plates, one plate generally slides under another creating a subduction zone. The crust of the lower plate is melted back to molten lava and recycled via sub-crustal-convection currents to areas of diverging plates. There, the new lava rises from underwater volcanoes forming oceanic ridges. | In areas of converging plates, one plate generally slides under another creating a subduction zone. The crust of the lower plate is melted back to molten lava and recycled via sub-crustal-convection currents to areas of diverging plates. There, the new lava rises from underwater volcanoes forming oceanic ridges. | ||
Revision as of 22:35, 30 December 2012
Plate Tectonics
What are Plate Tectonics?
The earth's crust is made up of a collection of crustal plates that may slowly shift over time. Plate tectonics are the movements of these plates towards (converging), away (diverging), or against (transforming) each other in response to sea floor spreading.[1]
In areas of converging plates, one plate generally slides under another creating a subduction zone. The crust of the lower plate is melted back to molten lava and recycled via sub-crustal-convection currents to areas of diverging plates. There, the new lava rises from underwater volcanoes forming oceanic ridges.
Reef Formation Theory
The plate tectonics theory explains the growth of ancient coral reefs in response to sea level changes. Ancient reefs in areas of sea floor spreading rise while reefs in subduction zones sink.[1] This can mean upward coral growth in the latter.