Part 1: Introduction to Plate Tectonics
The Dynamic Earth
Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of solid-Earth science, explaining earthquakes, volcanism, mountain building, and the distribution of continents and ocean basins. From Wegener's early continental drift hypothesis to the modern synthesis, this revolution transformed our understanding of how the Earth works.
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Major Plates
~2–15 cm/yr
Plate Velocities
~200 Ma
Current Ocean Floor Age
Topics in This Part
1.1 Continental Drift & Wegener
Wegener's hypothesis, fossil and geological evidence for drifting continents
1.2 Seafloor Spreading
Hess's hypothesis, magnetic anomalies, and the Vine-Matthews-Morley hypothesis
1.3 Evidence for Plate Tectonics
Paleomagnetic data, GPS geodesy, and global seismicity patterns
1.4 The Plate Tectonic Revolution
Wilson Cycle, modern plate boundary map, and the tectonic synthesis