Plate Tectonics: Theories Analysis

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Plate Tectonics:

Theories Analysis

                                                                Student: Will Emann

                                                                Teacher: Mrs. Brown

                                                                Course: SES 4U1

                                                                Date: May 31, 2004

Since the beginning of human kind there has been a cloud of wonder regarding

the natural processes and patterns of our planet. Scientist interested in this field through

out the years, have developed many different theories to how our planet geological

features have come about.  The most widely accepted theory in this field is that of plate

tectonics.  For those who do not know much about the theory of plate tectonics; it states

that there are twenty plates that cover most of the Earth’s surface area.  These giant slabs

of rock are what is known as our lithosphere.  These plates are said to slide on top of the

asthenosphere (an inner layer of molten lava).

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A theory that can be explained by plate tectonics is a theory called continental

drift.  According to the theory of continental drift, the world was made up of a single

continent through most of geologic time. That continent eventually separated and drifted

apart, forming into the seven continents we have today. The first comprehensive theory

of continental drift was suggested by the German meteorologist Alfred Wegener in 1912.

The hypothesis asserts that the continents consist of lighter rocks that rest on heavier

crustal material, similar to the ...

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