GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The theory of plate tectonics is what brings together continental drift and seafloor spreading. Plates are made of lithosphere topped with oceanic and/or continental crust. The plates are moved around on Earth’s surface by seafloor spreading.

Detailed explanation-2: -Tuzo Wilson, combined the continental drift and seafloor spreading hypotheses to propose the theory of plate tectonics.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth’s land masses are in constant motion. The realization that Earth’s land masses move was first proposed by Alfred Wegener, which he called continental drift.

Detailed explanation-4: -Seafloor Spreading at Mid-Ocean Ridges. Convection currents drive the movement of Earth’s rigid tectonic plates in the planet’s fluid molten mantle. In places where convection currents rise up towards the crust’s surface, tectonic plates move away from each other in a process known as seafloor spreading (Fig. 7.21).

Detailed explanation-5: -Tectonic Plates The system of ideas behind plate tectonics theory suggests that Earth’s outer shell (lithosphere) is divided into several plates that glide over the Earth’s rocky inner layer above the soft core (mantle). The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth’s mantle.