1. Plate Tectonics Theory

2. Lithosphere Consists of continental, oceanic and upper part of mantleConsists of continental, oceanic and upper part of mantle Continents composed of granite- type rock, quartz and feldspar minerals, density+2.8g/cm 3Continents composed of granite- type rock, quartz and feldspar minerals, density+2.8g/cm 3 Oceanic crust formed of basalt; basalt rich in iron/magnesium minerals, density+3.0 g/cm 3Oceanic crust formed of basalt; basalt rich in iron/magnesium minerals, density+3.0 g/cm 3 Lithosphere is rigid layer of crust and mantle overlying partially-molten asthenosphereLithosphere is rigid layer of crust and mantle overlying partially-molten asthenosphere

3. Continental Drift Evidence – Geographic fit of continents – Fossils – Mountains – Glaciation Evidence supporting the idea that the continents had drifted Evidence supporting the idea that the continents had drifted. Researchers noted geographic fit of continentsResearchers noted geographic fit of continents e.g. Africa and S. Americae.g. Africa and S. America Atlantic formed by separation of Africa from S. AmericaAtlantic formed by separation of Africa from S. America Seuss, 1885, proposed super continent by studying fossils, rocks, mountainsSeuss, 1885, proposed super continent by studying fossils, rocks, mountains Wegener and Taylor, early 1900’s, proposed continental drift and PangaeaWegener and Taylor, early 1900’s, proposed continental drift and Pangaea

4. Continental Drift Geographic Fit Continents seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle

5. Continental Drift Fossils Similar distribution of fossils such as the Mesosaurus

6. Continental Drift Mountains Mountain ranges match across oceans

7. Continental Drift Glaciation Glacial ages and climate evidence

8. Continental Drift Model Problems Alfred Wegener – Did not provide a plausible mechanism to explain how continents drifted – Presented research to professionals

9. Seafloor Spreading Continental drift reexamined in 1960’s with new informationContinental drift reexamined in 1960’s with new information – World seismicity New theory developed – Seafloor spreadingNew theory developed – Seafloor spreading Supporting evidence for seafloor spreadingSupporting evidence for seafloor spreading Theory combining continental drift and seafloor spreading termed “Plate Tectonics”Theory combining continental drift and seafloor spreading termed “Plate Tectonics” – Volcanism – Age of seafloor – Heat flow – Paleomagnetism

10. Seafloor Spreading New sea floor created at the mid-ocean ridge and destroyed in deep ocean trenches

11. Evidence for Seafloor Spreading World Seismicity Earthquake distribution matches plate boundaries

12. Evidence for Seafloor Spreading Volcanism Volcanoes match some plate boundaries; some are hot spots

13. Evidence for Seafloor Spreading Age of Seafloor Youngest sea floor is at mid-ocean ridge Oldest sea floor away from mid-ocean ridge

14. Evidence for Seafloor Spreading Paleomagnetism When rocks cool at the Earth’s surface, they record Earth’s magnetic field (normal or reverse polarity) Earth has a magnetic field - Probably caused by rotation of solid inner core in liquid outer core (both mostly Fe) Earth has a magnetic field - Probably caused by rotation of solid inner core in liquid outer core (both mostly Fe)

15. Evidence for Seafloor Spreading Paleomagnetism Paleomagnetic studies indicate alternating stripes of normal and reverse polarity at the mid-ocean ridge.

16. Seafloor Spreading Heat Flow

17. Seafloor Spreading Convection Currents In 1960, proposed as driving force to move continents

18. Theory of Plate Tectonics John Tuzo Wilson combined ideas of continental drift and seafloor spreading into “Plate Tectonics”

19. Principles of Plate Tectonics Earth’s outermost layer composed of thin rigid plates moving horizontallyEarth’s outermost layer composed of thin rigid plates moving horizontally Plates interact with each other along their edges (plate boundaries)Plates interact with each other along their edges (plate boundaries) Plate boundaries have high degree of tectonic activityPlate boundaries have high degree of tectonic activity – mountain building – earthquakes – volcanoes

20. Plate Boundaries Three types DivergentDivergent ConvergentConvergent TransformTransform

21. Plate Boundaries Divergent Plates move away from each other New crust is being formedNew crust is being formed

22. Divergent Plate Boundaries Examples East African Rift Mid-Atlantic Ocean Ridge

23. Plate Boundaries Convergent Plates are moving toward each other Three Types: Ocean-continent Ocean-continent Ocean-ocean Ocean-ocean Continent-continent Continent-continent Crust is being destroyedCrust is being destroyed

24. Convergent Plate Boundaries Examples Convergent Plate Boundaries Examples Mount Lassen, California Andes, South America Mount Fuji, Japan

25. Plate Boundaries Transform Plates slide past one another Crust is neither created nor destroyed Crust is neither created nor destroyed xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

26. Transform Plate Boundaries Examples San Andreas Fault Calexico, California Carrizo Plains, Central California