Plate Tectonics

The oceans are a vast part of Planet Earth, taking up 75% of the surface. Though that is a clear and known fact the oceans hold more than just that. Within the realm of the ocean underlying to a depth of which we cannot see, some of the oceans great features are do to a phenomenon called plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics has been formed through the idea of a super continent, Pangaea, as well as an explanation for earthquakes and tsunamis.

Above everything else though, the main idea for plate tectonics comes around when thinking of the continents. Throughout the years geologists have concluded that the Americas, as well as Europe and Asia have over time moved and are increasingly getting farther apart. The idea first came about when it was noticed how all the continents align together to form one large continent, more properly known as Pangaea. Tectonic plates are easily moved because the mantle of the Earth consists of molten lava which sets the ground for easy mobility. Being that everything on the Earth sits on these plates justifies how things happen. This also justifies the movement of Pangaea. As the plates are constantly moving and crashing into one another, this causes pieces of land to move with them. On top of this, during the early stages of the breaking up of Pangaea, the crashing of tectonic plates which caused a rift to from east to west, essentially from ocean to ocean. As the rift got bigger and more water poured in, the tectonic plates carried each of the now-a-day continents to their not quite resting spot. But plate tectonics has more use than just that.

On another account, plate tectonics are the key source to earthquakes. The cause of an earthquake occurs when a sudden piece of Earth’s crust (the tectonic plates) is dislocated by volcanic eruption, manmade explosion, or some other form of heavy vibration. The main source to finding an earthquake is along a fault, which respectively, is a fracture in the Earth’s crust, thus when colliding giving a more vibrant shockwave. Since this is a naturally occurring activity, a lot of times they’re referred to as “tectonic earthquakes.” Along with this, earthquakes have a close cousin that resides in the water.

“Underwater earthquakes” as they can be called, Tsunamis are another effect of plate tectonics. Tsunamis are caused when plate boundaries abruptly move and vertically

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