Understanding Plate Tectonics and Their Mechanisms

The Earth's crust is constantly moving through a complex system of tectonic plates, driven by convection currents in the mantle. These movements create three main types of plate boundaries: constructive, destructive, and conservative.

Definition: Plate tectonics refers to the theory that Earth's outer layer is divided into plates that move and interact with each other.

Example: The splitting of Pangea demonstrates how plate tectonics has shaped our continents over millions of years.

Vocabulary: Subduction occurs when one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle.

The text explains the different types of crust:

• Oceanic crust: newer, denser, and can be renewed or destroyed
• Continental crust: older, lighter, and cannot be subducted

Highlight: The continuous cycle of heating and cooling in the Earth's mantle drives plate movements, leading to volcanic activity and earthquakes.