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Exercises

The document explains key concepts of plate tectonics, including definitions of divergent and convergent plate boundaries, as well as ocean trenches. It describes how convection currents in the mantle drive plate movement and discusses Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift, including the evidence that supported it and reasons for its initial rejection. The document concludes by outlining how the theory of continental drift evolved into the modern understanding of plate tectonics through advancements in ocean floor structure knowledge.

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45 views2 pages

Exercises

The document explains key concepts of plate tectonics, including definitions of divergent and convergent plate boundaries, as well as ocean trenches. It describes how convection currents in the mantle drive plate movement and discusses Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift, including the evidence that supported it and reasons for its initial rejection. The document concludes by outlining how the theory of continental drift evolved into the modern understanding of plate tectonics through advancements in ocean floor structure knowledge.

Uploaded by

manoloregal329
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Plate Tectonics

2 Give a definition of each of the following:


(a) divergent plate boundary
This is when two plates, pushed by the magma rising
from the mantle, move away from each other. The
magma solidifying forms new crust, so this type of
boundary is constructive.
(b) convergent plate boundary
When two or more plates collide with each other, losing
a piece of the earth’s crust. This type of boundary is
destructive.
(c) ocean trench.
When oceanic crust and continental crust collide with
each other and a deep trench forms where the oceanic
crust is forced bellow the continental crust.
3 Describe how convection currents drive the
movement of the Earth’s plates.
When the rocks in the mantle near the core are
exposed to extremely high temperatures, they turn
plastic-like and flow towards the surface. When they
get closer to the surface, they cool, float sideways and
fall back down to the core. The movements of the
magma just below the earth cause the plates to move.
4 (a) What did Alfred Wegener suggest happened
to the plates, in his theory of continental drift?
He suggests that all continents where originally one
land mass but drifted away from each other along the
ocean floors.
(b) What evidence supported his theory?
Similar fossils were found in either side of the Atlantic.
In addition, the mountains in Argentina and South
Africa matched each other, along with the types of the
rocks found in both locations.
(c) Why do you think his theory was not generally
accepted at the time?
The original theory might have not been generally
accepted because many people’s world view was
shaped by religion so they would have discarded
theories that weren´t consistent with the bible. Another
reason could have been that most people weren’t well
educated at the time and didn’t have much knowledge
of the structure of the earth or what would be causing
the drift of the continents.
5 How was the theory of continental drift
developed and refined to become the theory of
plate tectonics?
Scientists better understanding of the structure of the
ocean floor gave them more knowledge on how the
continents were moving. Although the theory that all
continents were originally one land mass is probably
correct, the continents were being pushed away from
each other by the creation of new crust in mid-ocean
ridges, rather than them floating away. Wegener’s
original theory was developed thanks to the
understanding of sea-floor spreading.

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