Fyodor Filippov

Research on Tectonic Plates

Period: 1/2
2/25/14
Plate tectonics is the theory that the earths crust is not one solid motionless mass of rock.
The plate tectonics theory is currently accepted because of the extensive evidence including
fossil distribution, volcanic activity and seismic activity. Very many things that have happened in
the past can and have happened since then, for example similar types of earthquakes happen at
similar types of faults because the type of plate friction is likely to cause an earthquake like one
that has happened in the past
Mapping volcanic and seismic activity can very accurately show us the separate tectonic
plates, the location of fossils shows us how the plates used to be connected to allow land
creatures to travel between ocean divided land masses. The age of the rock shows us where the
land masses are, also the age of rock map along with other evidence could help us form accurate
predictions about where tectonic plates are and how they will continue to move.
Volcanic and seismic activity has been recorded with its location for earthquakes the
depth also!. "hen the locations of the activity are plotted on a world map they both form the
same definite lines showing the outlines of tectonic plates. #ifferent plate boundaries faults!
have different types of movement$ %! divergent, plates move apart dew to magma pushing its
way up and between the two plates, &! convergent, plates move together, '! transform, plates
move in opposite directions parallel to each other. (lso mapping volcanoes and earthquakes can
show were oceanic plates move under continental plates, this is called subduction. The reason
oceanic plates move under continental plates is because of the difference in density of the two
plates, when the oceanic plate gets pushed toward a continental plate caused by sea floor
Fyodor Filippov
Research on Tectonic Plates
Period: 1/2
2/25/14
spreading! the plate must go under the continental plate were it then melts into magma.
)arthquakes and volcanoes can most accurately show the different plate boundaries and also
provide some information about the type of fault.
The age of rock of map shows us more than the fault, it also shows us how old the rock is
around the fault. The (tlantic ocean is constantly moving apart due to magma forcing its way out
between the plates creating new rock. *f the rocks continue to move the same as they do now
Principle of +niformitarianism! then we can accurately predict the continents position and
orientation in thousands of years. +sing the ,age of rock map-, we can also see how the tectonic
plates were once connected to form a super continent called Pangaea. .urther evidence was
found supporting the theory of the supper continent/s existence. Many ancient land fossils of the
same organisms were found across oceans making it look as though the organism had walked
across the ocean that is separating it from its fellow fossils. The same land organism could not
have evolved exactly the same way as another. This supported the theory of Pangaea because a
supper continent would have allowed organisms walk or spread across what is now two
completely separate continents.
0nowing the movements and location of tectonic plates as shown by the location of the
fossils, the age of the rock maps and the volcanic and 1eismic maps! we can look to see the
threats and dangers of the future. "hat caused problems before due to position of plates will
likely cause problems in the future, 2ike when all of the continents formed a super continent
way before Pangaea! that prevented oceanic flow and plummeted earth into a massive ice age. *t
is very important to know as much as possible about the way the earth works.
Fyodor Filippov
Research on Tectonic Plates
Period: 1/2
2/25/14