Plate Tectonics
Introductory and general sources.
Plate Tectonics in a Nutshell
I try to explain this subject as accurately as I can, as simply as I can, taking you as deep as you care to go.
I try to explain this subject as accurately as I can, as simply as I can, taking you as deep as you care to go.
Sizes of Lithospheric Plates
Thirty plates and microplates are listed in order of size.
Thirty plates and microplates are listed in order of size.
The Lithosphere in a Nutshell
The lithosphere is the brittle outer layer of the solid Earth. The plates of plate tectonics are segments of the lithosphere.
The lithosphere is the brittle outer layer of the solid Earth. The plates of plate tectonics are segments of the lithosphere.
Five Myths of Plate Tectonics
Even geologists are prone to these misbeliefs: plate rigidity, ridge compression, ridge fixity, forcible subduction, and mantle convection.
Even geologists are prone to these misbeliefs: plate rigidity, ridge compression, ridge fixity, forcible subduction, and mantle convection.
Measuring Plate Motion
We can tell from several different lines of evidence that the lithospheric plates move.
We can tell from several different lines of evidence that the lithospheric plates move.
Convergent Zones in a Nutshell
What happens when lithospheric plates come together.
What happens when lithospheric plates come together.
Divergent Zones in a Nutshell
Where the lithospheric plates move apart from each other.
Where the lithospheric plates move apart from each other.
Transforms in a Nutshell
What happens when lithospheric plates move past each other.
What happens when lithospheric plates move past each other.
Subduction in a Nutshell
What happens when a lithospheric plate must go down.
What happens when a lithospheric plate must go down.
Arc Volcanism in a Nutshell
How subducting plates create most of the world's volcanoes.
How subducting plates create most of the world's volcanoes.
The Death of Plates
What happens to a lithospheric plate after it has been subducted.
What happens to a lithospheric plate after it has been subducted.
A Hotspot Alternative
A new theory about hotspots is based directly on plate tectonics.
A new theory about hotspots is based directly on plate tectonics.
Lost City of Serpentinization
Lost City, on the Atlantic seafloor, is the product of a major geochemical process.
Lost City, on the Atlantic seafloor, is the product of a major geochemical process.
Color-Coded Continents
An easy-to-use set of world maps showing plate motions, courtesy of the U.S. National Park Service.
An easy-to-use set of world maps showing plate motions, courtesy of the U.S. National Park Service.
News From the Edge: The Calcite Stress Gauge
Microscopic grains show the strain on a whole continent.
Microscopic grains show the strain on a whole continent.
"This Dynamic Earth"
The U.S. Geological Survey's 1996 pamphlet on plate tectonics is widely cited, but it is no longer accurate in several respects. For the history of the theory, though, it's the best source on the Web.
The U.S. Geological Survey's 1996 pamphlet on plate tectonics is widely cited, but it is no longer accurate in several respects. For the history of the theory, though, it's the best source on the Web.
The MARGINS Initiative Home Page
A comprehensive introduction to current research on continental margins, a leading-edge problem in plate tectonics.
A comprehensive introduction to current research on continental margins, a leading-edge problem in plate tectonics.
Paleomap Project
Here's where to watch plate tectonics in action through the geologic past: on Chris Scotese's scientifically accurate maps.
Here's where to watch plate tectonics in action through the geologic past: on Chris Scotese's scientifically accurate maps.
Plate Animations from UC Santa Barbara
UCSB's Tanya Atwater, a pioneer in applying plate tectonics to the continents, is also a pioneer in visualizing how the process works. Get her animations at the Educational Multimedia Visualization Center.
UCSB's Tanya Atwater, a pioneer in applying plate tectonics to the continents, is also a pioneer in visualizing how the process works. Get her animations at the Educational Multimedia Visualization Center.
"Plate Driving Forces and Tectonic Stress"
A paper by graduate student Arlo Weil (now teaching at Bryn Mawr) is an excellent treatment of what drives the plates.
A paper by graduate student Arlo Weil (now teaching at Bryn Mawr) is an excellent treatment of what drives the plates.
Plate Tectonics Animations
Animated GIFs from the U.S. Geological Survey illustrate various aspects of plate tectonics, including continental motions.
Animated GIFs from the U.S. Geological Survey illustrate various aspects of plate tectonics, including continental motions.
Teaching Resources on Plate Tectonics
The Geological Society of London hosts a set of pages on topics related to plate tectonics and structural geology.
The Geological Society of London hosts a set of pages on topics related to plate tectonics and structural geology.