Earth's Structure and Tectonic Plates
Earth's structure is composed of distinct layers, each playing a crucial role in tectonic processes and landforms. The crust, the outermost layer, is thin approximately30km and solid, forming the surface we live on. Beneath the crust lies the mantle, a thick 2900km layer that is part molten and part solid, less dense than the core.
The lithosphere, which includes the crust and uppermost mantle, is divided into tectonic plates. These plates are categorized as either oceanic or continental, each with unique characteristics:
Highlight: Oceanic plates are newer, denser, and can be destroyed and renewed, while continental plates are older, less dense, and cannot sink or be destroyed.
The distribution of tectonic plates across the globe includes major plates such as the Pacific, Australian, Eurasian, and African plates. This arrangement of plates is responsible for the formation of various tectonic landforms and geological features.
Vocabulary: Lithosphere - The rigid outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
Example: The Pacific Ring of Fire is a prime example of the interaction between tectonic plates, where numerous volcanoes and earthquake zones are found along the edges of the Pacific Plate.