What theory explains why the tectonic plates have been moving over time?

The theory of plate tectonics revolutionized the earth sciences by explaining how the movement of geologic plates causes mountain building, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

What best describes the development of the theory of plate tectonics?

Which of the following best describes the development of the theory of plate tectonics? Scientists used the discovery of seafloor spreading to support continental drift, which led to the theory of plate tectonics. Which two layers make up Earth’s tectonic plates (lithosphere)?

Has the theory of plate tectonics been proven?

Plate tectonics explains why Earth’s continents are moving; the theory of continental drift did not provide an explanation. Therefore, the theory of plate tectonics is more complete. It has gained widespread acceptance among scientists.

What are the effects of plate tectonics?

Plate motions cause mountains to rise where plates push together, or converge, and continents to fracture and oceans to form where plates pull apart, or diverge. The continents are embedded in the plates and drift passively with them, which over millions of years results in significant changes in Earth’s geography.

How were tectonic plates formed?

The plates — interlocking slabs of crust that float on Earth’s viscous upper mantle — were created by a process similar to the subduction seen today when one plate dives below another, the report says. Other researchers have estimated that a global tectonic plate system emerged around 3 billion years ago.

Who introduced the theory of plate tectonic?

meteorologist Alfred Wegener
German meteorologist Alfred Wegener is often credited as the first to develop a theory of plate tectonics, in the form of continental drift.

Who developed theory of plate tectonics?

Alfred Wegener
The “Father of Plate Tectonics”, Alfred Wegener proposed “Continental Drift” in 1912, but was ridiculed by fellow scientists.

Who proved plate tectonic theory?

In 1912 the meteorologist Alfred Wegener described what he called continental drift, an idea that culminated fifty years later in the modern theory of plate tectonics. Wegener expanded his theory in his 1915 book The Origin of Continents and Oceans.

What is the main cause of plate tectonics?

The main driving force of plate tectonics is gravity. If a plate with oceanic lithosphere meets another plate, the dense oceanic lithosphere dives beneath the other plate and sinks into the mantle. The sinking oceanic lithosphere drags the rest of the tectonic plate and this is the main cause of plate motion.

What positive effect is brought about the tectonic plate movement?

Plate activity on Earth has helped to regulate the level of carbon dioxide over the eons. The same weathering that pulls nutrients from mountaintops down into the oceans also helps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.