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5.9: Plate Tectonics Theory

Last updated

Sep 4, 2022
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- 5.8: Earth’s Changing Surface
- 6: Tectonic Forces

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Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology. Plate tectonics theory explains why:

Earth’s geography has changed through time and continues to change today.
some places are prone to earthquakes while others are not.
certain regions may have deadly, mild, or no volcanic eruptions.
mountain ranges are located where they are.

Plate tectonic motions affect Earth’s rock cycle, climate, and the evolution of life.

Thumbnail for the embedded element "Plate Tectonics - A Documentary"

A YouTube element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here: http://pb.libretexts.org/pg/?p=98

Dynamic Earth: Introduction to Physical Geography. Authored by: R. Adam Dastrup. Located at: http://www.opengeography.org/physical-geography.html. Project: Open Geography Education. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike

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