Assignment 2
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El Paso Community College *
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Course
1301
Subject
Geology
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by jessikadenn28
Assignment 2- Plate Tectonics.
1-
Explain why Wegner's use of shorelines to match continents in his
reconstruction of Pangaea was criticized by other geoscientists and how that
issue was subsequently resolved in Plate Tectonic Theory.
- As early as the 1920s, Alfred Wegener proposed the idea of continental
drift. In the 15th edition of the Textbook Earth Science, continental drift is a
theory that states continents are rafted about. Plate tectonics has essentially
replaced it. The hypothesis demonstrated that he dared to question the long-
held assumption that continents and ocean basins have fixed geographical
locations. According to Wegener, there is only one supercontinent. A
solution to this issue is provided in plate tectonic theory when the concepts
of asthenosphere and lithosphere. In addition to the lithosphere, there are
several plates, and the matching of these plates is more convincing evidence
for Pangaea than the shoreline matches.
2-
Explain briefly why a divergent plate boundary is also called a "constructive
margin or boundary."
- Divergent plate boundaries can be described as "constructive margins or
boundaries" because they occur when two plates move away from each
other. Magma or molten rock rises to the surface when these plates move
away. The crust solidifies to form a new one. As a result of this formation of
new crust, a divergent plate boundary is also known as a constructive plate
margin or boundary.
3-
Briefly explain how density affects subduction.
- A fundamental factor in subduction is density differences between tectonic
plates. According to plate tectonics, the denser plate subducts under the less
dense plate. The oceanic plate subducts into the continental plate when the
oceanic plate moves towards it. As a result of its less buoyancy, it sinks.
4-
Briefly explain how magnetic patterns on the seafloor support Plate Tectonic
theory.
- There is a difference in age between different magnetic stripes on the seafloor.
During mid-ocean ridges, the seafloor is young, and as you move away from the
ridges, the seafloor gets older. The process of plate tectonics involves the
destruction of older seafloor, which is key to understanding its mechanisms.
Magnetic patterns serve as compelling evidence that continents move, while
seafloor remains relatively stationary. Additionally, the formation of earthquake
activity aligns with the principles of plate tectonics. Symmetrical magnetic
patterns found on both sides of ocean ridges provide further confirmation of
seafloor spreading.
5-
Briefly explain why the oceanic ridges are higher than the surrounding ocean
basins.
- The oceanic ridges are higher than the surrounding ocean basins because
newly created oceanic crust by the diverging oceanic plate is less dense and
hot than the rock in the deep ocean basins which is cooler and dense.
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