Plate TectonicsPlate Tectonics
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Earth
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Book, 1992
Current format, Book, 1992, , Available .Book, 1992
Current format, Book, 1992, , Available . Offered in 0 more formatsPlate tectonics is to geology what evolution is to biology, a theory that provides a single guiding principle to the Earth's geologic history. Based on the idea that a number of plates in the Earth's crust are constantly in motion, plate tectonics (from the Greek tekton, meaning "to build") has allowed scientists to recreate what the surface of the Earth looked like throughout its past as these plates joined and separated several times to form various continents and supercontinents.
Beginning with early scientific evidence for continental drift and the development of the plate tectonics theory by geologists in this century, Plate Tectonics describes how tectonics works, the role of seafloor spreading and subduction zones in shaping the Earth's surface, how mountains and volcanoes are formed, and what happens when continents collide. The author also illustrates how plate tectonics has had a very real effect on the evolution and extinction of species, how plate tectonics has shaped other planets in space, and what the future holds as the cycle continues and all the Earth's continents are once again joined together.
The succinct, informative text is illustrated throughout with photographs, line drawings and many maps of the Earth's surface at various points in its evolution, providing a clear picture of the causes and effects of plate tectonics. Numerous tables listing information on the drifting of the continents, the relative strength of earthquakes, the depths of the world's deep-ocean trenches, the tallest U.S. mountains by state, the major volcanoes of Mars and other tectonic phenomena complement the book's broad scope.
Comprehensive and comprehensible, Plate Tectonics is an essential guide for understanding the complex process of plate tectonics, a process continuously changing and rearranging the face of the Earth.
A popular explanation of the theory that is to geology what evolution is to biology. Summarizes the scientific principles, the past and future impact of tectonic plate movement on climate and life, and the evidence for similar processes on other planets. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
Explains the theory of continental drift and shows how this activity has affected the Earth's geological make-up
Beginning with early scientific evidence for continental drift and the development of the plate tectonics theory by geologists in this century, Plate Tectonics describes how tectonics works, the role of seafloor spreading and subduction zones in shaping the Earth's surface, how mountains and volcanoes are formed, and what happens when continents collide. The author also illustrates how plate tectonics has had a very real effect on the evolution and extinction of species, how plate tectonics has shaped other planets in space, and what the future holds as the cycle continues and all the Earth's continents are once again joined together.
The succinct, informative text is illustrated throughout with photographs, line drawings and many maps of the Earth's surface at various points in its evolution, providing a clear picture of the causes and effects of plate tectonics. Numerous tables listing information on the drifting of the continents, the relative strength of earthquakes, the depths of the world's deep-ocean trenches, the tallest U.S. mountains by state, the major volcanoes of Mars and other tectonic phenomena complement the book's broad scope.
Comprehensive and comprehensible, Plate Tectonics is an essential guide for understanding the complex process of plate tectonics, a process continuously changing and rearranging the face of the Earth.
A popular explanation of the theory that is to geology what evolution is to biology. Summarizes the scientific principles, the past and future impact of tectonic plate movement on climate and life, and the evidence for similar processes on other planets. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
Explains the theory of continental drift and shows how this activity has affected the Earth's geological make-up
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- New York : Facts on File, c1992.
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