Tectonic

Tectonic refers to the large-scale processes that shape the structure of the Earth's lithosphere. The term is derived from the Greek word "tektonikos," meaning "pertaining to building." Tectonic processes create the major features of the Earth's surface, including mountains, ocean basins, and continents.

Overview

Tectonic processes are driven by the heat in the Earth's interior. This heat causes the rock in the mantle to flow slowly, a process known as mantle convection. The movement of the mantle drags the overlying lithosphere, causing it to break into a series of plates. These tectonic plates move relative to each other, causing earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the creation of mountain ranges and ocean trenches.

Tectonic Plates

The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several major and minor tectonic plates. The largest of these are the Pacific Plate, the North American Plate, the Eurasian Plate, the African Plate, the Antarctic Plate, the Indo-Australian Plate, and the South American Plate. These plates move at rates of a few centimeters per year, driven by the movement of the underlying mantle.

Plate Boundaries

Tectonic plates interact at their boundaries, leading to various geological phenomena. There are three types of plate boundaries: divergent boundaries, where plates move apart; convergent boundaries, where plates move towards each other; and transform boundaries, where plates slide past each other.

Tectonic Processes

Tectonic processes include volcanism, seismic activity, and mountain building. These processes are responsible for the creation of many of the Earth's major features, including the Himalayas, the Andes, the Rocky Mountains, the Mariana Trench, and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

See Also

• Plate tectonics
• Continental drift
• Seafloor spreading
• Earthquake
• Volcano

References

Tectonic Resources
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