Evidence for Plate Tectonics

Earth’s Interior  By composition  core - Fe & Ni  mantle  crust  By composition  core - Fe & Ni  mantle  crust lithosphere asthenosphere  By state  inner core - solid  outer core - liquid  lower mantle - ductile solid  asthenosphere - ductile solid  lithosphere - rigid solid

Plate Tectonics  The earth’s surface is made of plates that move and interact.  plates are rigid lithosphere  most activity is at the margins of the plates  the plates are the surface  The earth’s surface is made of plates that move and interact.  plates are rigid lithosphere  most activity is at the margins of the plates  the plates are the surface

Fit of the Continents

Fossil distribution Igneous & sedimentary rocks geologic structures Igneous & sedimentary rocks geologic structures Glacial Deposits

Seafloor Spreading Age of the seafloor (measured with riometric dating, paleomag, sed thickness) Shape of the seafloor

Locations of Geologic Activity earthquakes volcanoes

Hot Spots

Measured Movement

Causes of Motion  mantle motion  slab pull  ridge push  mantle motion  slab pull  ridge push

History of plate movement