Plate Tectonics

Paper Summary:

This paper offers a general definition of plate tectonics and a simple explanation for this process. The paper defines three specific types of plate tectonic environments, provides examples of "seismic gaps"
and discusses the types of mountains that are formed as a result of plate tectonics. The paper concludes that the impact of plate tectonics on the geography of the earth can be seen almost everywhere one looks, whether in the United States, South America (the Andes Mountains), Europe (Mt. Vesuvius in Italy) or Asia (Mt. Fujiyama in Japan).

From the Paper:

"As a general definition, plate tectonics is based on a theory that the lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of plates which float on and travel independently over the mantle and that much of the earth's seismic activity, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, occur at the boundaries of these plates. A simple explanation for this process would be to compare plate tectonics to the surface of a ball with individual areas that slide and/or grind against each other, thus creating seismic activity deep below the mantle of the earth. This activity, usually in the form of earthquakes, can be measured by geologist through the use of a seismograph which measures the intensity of a quake based on the Richter Scale from 1 to 10 magnitude."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Earthquakes: Facts and Figures." (2007). Internet. Retrieved from http://seagrant.uaf.edu/features/earthquake/facts4.html.
• Louie, J. (2001)."Plate Tectonics, the Cause of Earthquakes." Internet. Retrieved from http://www.seismo.unr.edu/ftp/pub/louie/100/plate-tectonics.html.
• "Plate Tectonics: The Rocky History of an Idea." (2007). Internet. Retrieved from http://www.ucmp.berkekey.edu/geology/techist.html.
• Van Ginkel, Christina. (2002). "Facts About Mountains." Essortment. Internet. Retrieved from http://ia.essortment.com/mountainmountai_rmky.htm.

More papers on Plate Tectonics:

• Essay # 65895 : "The History of Plate Tectonics"
• Essay # 61550 : "Plate Tectonics Theory"
• Essay # 66822 : "Plate Tectonics, Fault Lines and Fault Line Movement "

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: