A tectonic plate (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere. In moderns views, gravity is invoked as the major driving force, through slab pull along subduction zones. The discovery of magnetic striping called for an explanation. [80], Consideration of plate tectonics is a part of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and extraterrestrial life. However, some researchers[who?] He concluded that tidal forces (the tidal lag or "friction") caused by the Earth's rotation and the forces acting upon it by the Moon are a driving force for plate tectonics. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and oceanic trench formation occur along these plate boundaries (or faults). Map showing Earth's major tectonic plates with arrows depicting the directions of plate movement. So, still the question remained: how can new crust be continuously added along the oceanic ridges without increasing the size of the Earth? tectonic plate definition: one of the parts of the earth's surface that move in relation to each other. [10] As a result of this density stratification, oceanic crust generally lies below sea level (for example most of the Pacific Plate), while continental crust buoyantly projects above sea level (see the page isostasy for explanation of this principle). It has generally been accepted that tectonic plates are able to move because of the relative density of oceanic lithosphere and the relative weakness of the asthenosphere. It was observed as early as 1596 that the opposite coasts of the Atlantic Ocean—or, more precisely, the edges of the continental shelves—have similar shapes and seem to have once fitted together. [94], Driving forces related to mantle dynamics, Relative significance of each driving force mechanism, Floating continents, paleomagnetism, and seismicity zones, Mid-oceanic ridge spreading and convection, Lists of geological features of the Solar System, Timeline of the development of tectonophysics, "Drop of ancient seawater rewrites Earth's history: Research reveals that plate tectonics started on Earth 600 million years before what was believed earlier", "The Role of H2O in Subduction Zone Magmatism", "Myths and Legends on Natural Disasters: Making Sense of Our World", "Subduction controls the distribution and fragmentation of Earth's tectonic plates", "Caltech Researchers Use GPS Data to Model Effects of Tidal Loads on Earth's Surface", "Kinematics and dynamics of the East Pacific Rise linked to a stable, deep-mantle upwelling", "Plate Tectonics May Have Begun a Billion Years After Earth's Birth Pappas, S LiveScience report of PNAS research 21 Sept 2017", "Was Venus alive? Note that some plates run under the ocean, and the continents as defined by geography. Some volcanoes occur in the interiors of plates, and these have been variously attributed to internal plate deformation[9] and to mantle plumes. The asthenosphere plays a very large role in the movement of plates across the surface of the Earth, and so do convection currents. This research has led to the fairly well accepted hypothesis that Venus has undergone an essentially complete volcanic resurfacing at least once in its distant past, with the last event taking place approximately within the range of estimated surface ages. The supercontinent Columbia or Nuna formed during a period of 2,000 to 1,800 million years ago and broke up about 1,500 to 1,300 million years ago. The distinction between oceanic crust and continental crust is based on their modes of formation. [90], On Earth-sized planets, plate tectonics is more likely if there are oceans of water. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, Alfred Wegener and the concept of continental drift, Paleomagnetism, polar wandering, and continental drift, Gestation and birth of plate-tectonic theory, Plate-driving mechanisms and the role of the mantle, Dissenting opinions and unanswered questions, Interactions of tectonics with other systems, https://www.britannica.com/science/plate-tectonics, University of California Museum of Paleontology - Plate Tectonics, National Geographic - Science - Plate Tectonics, Australian Museum - Plate Tectonic processes, University of California Museum of Paleontology - Biography of Alfred Wegener, plate tectonics - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), plate tectonics - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Sed in general earthquakes and plate tectonics three diffe types of tectonic plate tectonic plates cause earthquakes how plate movement affects earthquakes. , volcanic activity, mountain-building, and there is evidence for ice its! 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