Plate Tectonics

Geological and
geophysical evidence
of plates and plate
dynamics
Earth’s lithosphere consist of relatively
rigid plates that move independently

 Plates consist of crust and lithospheric mantle

 Any individual plate contains oceanic and/or continental crust
 Each plate relatively rigid, little internal deformation
 Plate boundaries defined by active seismic and volcanic
activity
 Dynamic: new ones form, boundaries change character,
etc.
GPS data allow us to track plate motions
How fast do
plates move?
Typically
~50 mm/yr
(2 in/year),
but up to
240 mm/yr
(10 in/yr).
Geologic
evidence
shows
that rates
and
directions
change
over time
What is the geologic record of
plate tectonics?
 Patterns of magnetic
anomalies on seafloor
 Locations of earthquakes,
many volcanoes, and
mountains
 Evidence of ‘continental
drift’
 Magnetic Field QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

 Electric current/field:
 orientation of compasses
 3 properties: magnitude, inclination, declination
 Electrical dynamo - Dipolar field:
poles near geographic poles (= spin axis)
 Results from movement in Iron-rich core

 Rotation of the Earth affects orientation and strength

 Poles move (Polar wander)

 Magnetic Reversals
A rich geologic record of plate
motions over time
 Magnetic stripes

QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Geologic evidence of past
movement is in the continents
 Paleomag record of movement of plates
through different latitudes (inclination)
 Age and character (internal structure,
metamorphic grade, etc.) of margins (mountain
belts, subduction zones, etc.)
 Patterns of sedimentation, sed provenance
 Fossil record of times when different continents
shared flora and fauna; also of movement of
plates through different latitudes (climate)
 Plate Tectonics
• All rocks owe their
origin to plate tectonics
• Plate motions record
inevitable and
irreversible cooling of
the planet
PLATE DRIVING FORCES

 Pull of sinking lithospheric

plate (slab) at subduction
zones: SLAB PULL. This
is thought to be the
dominant mechanism
 Push of intrusion, gravity
at mid-oceanic ridges:
RIDGE PUSH.
 Traction caused by
motion of asthenosphere
below plate: BASAL
TRACTION