Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that describes the large-scale
motions of Earth's lithosphere. The model builds on the concepts of continental
drift, developed during the first few decades of the 20th century.
Continental drift is the movement of the Earth's continents relative to
each other by appearing to drift across the ocean bed.
Pangaea was a super-continent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, forming approximately 300 million years ago. It began to break apart around 200 million years ago. The single global ocean which surrounded Pangaea is accordingly named Phantasmal.
Atmosphere the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.
Lithosphere the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
Mid-ocean-ridge a long, seismically active submarine ridge system situated in the middle of an ocean basin and marking the site of the upwelling of magma associated with seafloor spreading. An example is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Rift Valley a large elongated depression with steep walls formed by the downward displacement of a block of the earth's surface between nearly parallel faults or fault systems.
Subduction the sideways and downward movement of the edge of a plate of the earth's crust into the mantle beneath another plate.
motions of Earth's lithosphere. The model builds on the concepts of continental
drift, developed during the first few decades of the 20th century.
Continental drift is the movement of the Earth's continents relative to
each other by appearing to drift across the ocean bed.
Pangaea was a super-continent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, forming approximately 300 million years ago. It began to break apart around 200 million years ago. The single global ocean which surrounded Pangaea is accordingly named Phantasmal.
Atmosphere the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.
Lithosphere the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
Mid-ocean-ridge a long, seismically active submarine ridge system situated in the middle of an ocean basin and marking the site of the upwelling of magma associated with seafloor spreading. An example is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Rift Valley a large elongated depression with steep walls formed by the downward displacement of a block of the earth's surface between nearly parallel faults or fault systems.
Subduction the sideways and downward movement of the edge of a plate of the earth's crust into the mantle beneath another plate.