Introduction

Illustration of converging plates and subduction.

The Theory of Plate tectonics describes how Earth's rigid outer shell, the lithosphere, is broken up into about 20 individual pieces called plates that continually move and interact along plate boundaries, driving Earth's constructive geologic processes.

The formulation of the plate tectonic theory was a crucially important contribution to our understanding of how Earth works. This theory allows geologists to accurately describe the structure of Earth and explain how the crust evolves, including the development of ocean basins, the growth (and breakup) and movement of continents, and how and why earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains occur where they do. Plate Tectonics also provides the mechanism for making igneous and metamorphic rocks. In other words, plate tectonics explains the constructive geologic processes operating on Earth, those processes that create new rock and construct landforms on Earth's surface.

Learning Objectives

Course SLO:

Students can describe the geologic processes, the relative movement of plates, and the distinguishing landforms associated with each type of plate boundary

Learning Outcomes:

Distinguish between the terms tectonic plate (plate), plate boundary, and plate tectonics
Recognize Earth’s major surface features
Identify the layers of Earth
Locate plate boundaries on Earth's surface
Identify the source of energy for plate tectonics
Explain the connection between plate tectonics and constructive geologic processes
Describe the constructive and/or destructive geologic processes at each plate boundary
Describe some of the evidence used to show the continents and tectonic plates move
Recognize the difference between the hypothesis of continental drift and the theory of plate tectonics
Use algebraic equations to calculate rates, distances, and times

Directions

You will work your way sequentially through the pages of this module. This includes carefully considering lectures, reading your textbook(s), participating in discussions, completing (with comprehension) reading questions and exercises, chatting with classmates, and participating in study hall. By engaging in this class, you should be ready to perform well on the module-ending quiz.