GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The theory of plate tectonics revolutionized the earth sciences by explaining how the movement of geologic plates causes mountain building, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Detailed explanation-2: -The heat from radioactive processes within the planet’s interior causes the plates to move, sometimes toward and sometimes away from each other. This movement is called plate motion, or tectonic shift.

Detailed explanation-3: -The movement of lithospheric plates referred to as continental drift, is believed to be caused by the radioactive decay of elements in the core and mantle that produces heat. The heat in turn creates convection currents in the mantle which “drive” the plates along their path of movement.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the early 20th century, Wegener published a paper explaining his theory that the continental landmasses were “drifting” across the Earth, sometimes plowing through oceans and into each other. He called this movement continental drift.

Detailed explanation-5: -Plate tectonics is the scientific theory explaining the movement of the earth’s crust. It is widely accepted by scientists today. Recall that both continental landmasses and the ocean floor are part of the earth’s crust, and that the crust is broken into individual pieces called tectonic plates (Fig.