"Tectonics are the processes that result in the structure and properties of the Earth's crust and its evolution through time."
The study of the movement and deformation of planetary crusts.
Plate tectonics: The theory that Earth's lithosphere is broken into plates that move over the underlying asthenosphere due to convection currents.
Continental drift: The movement of continents over time due to plate tectonics.
Earthquakes: Shaking and trembling of the Earth's surface caused by sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust.
Volcanism: The occurrence of volcanoes and other volcanic activity due to plate tectonics and the movement of magma beneath the Earth's surface.
Crustal deformation: The changes in the shape and position of the Earth's crust caused by tectonic activity.
Plate boundaries: The areas where tectonic plates meet, including divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.
Geologic time: The timeline of Earth's history, including the formation of the Earth, the origin and evolution of life on Earth, and the development of the continents and oceans.
Plate tectonic settings: The different environments where plate tectonic activity occurs, including subduction zones, rift valleys, and hotspots.
Mantle dynamics: The movement of molten rock and solid material in the Earth's mantle, which drives plate tectonics.
Continental collision: The process by which two continental plates collide and form mountain ranges.
Seafloor spreading: The process of new oceanic crust forming at mid-ocean ridges and spreading outward.
Paleomagnetism: The study of the record of Earth's magnetic field in rocks, which can provide evidence of plate tectonic activity.
Thermal convection: The movement of a fluid or gas due to changes in temperature, which is a key driver of plate tectonics.
Crustal recycling: The process by which old crust is destroyed at subduction zones and new crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges.
Tectonic hazards: The risks and dangers associated with tectonic activity, including earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
Plate Tectonics: The theory that Earth's lithosphere is divided into a number of crustal plates that move relative to each other due to the circulation of the underlying mantle.
Volcanic Tectonics: A type of tectonics that involves volcanic activity and the movement of magma beneath the Earth's surface.
Gravity Tectonics: A type of tectonics that involves the movement of sediment due to the effects of gravity.
Extensional Tectonics: A type of tectonics that involves the stretching and thinning of the Earth's crust.
Contractional Tectonics: A type of tectonics in which an area of the crust is compressed and folded, often leading to the formation of mountains.
Strike-Slip Tectonics: A type of tectonics in which two plates move past each other in a horizontal direction, causing frequent earthquakes.
Compressional Tectonics: A type of tectonics that involves the compression and folding of the Earth's crust, often resulting in the formation of mountain ranges.
Transform Tectonics: A type of tectonics in which two plates slide past each other in a parallel direction, often causing earthquakes.
Rifting Tectonics: A type of tectonics that occurs when the Earth's crust is pulled apart, resulting in the formation of a rift valley.
Subduction Tectonics: A type of tectonics in which one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, often resulting in volcanic activity.
Collisional Tectonics: A type of tectonics in which two tectonic plates come together and collide, often resulting in the formation of mountain ranges.
Intraplate Tectonics: A type of tectonics that occurs within a single tectonic plate, and can result in volcanic activity or earthquakes.
Thermal Tectonics: A type of tectonics that involves the movement of material within the mantle due to thermal convection currents.
Salt Tectonics: A type of tectonics that involves the movement of salt deposits within the Earth's crust.
Syn-Tectonic Deposition: A type of tectonics in which sedimentary rocks are deposited during a period of tectonic activity in a region.
Post-Tectonic Deposition: A type of tectonics in which sedimentary rocks are deposited after a period of tectonic activity in a region has taken place.
"These processes include those of mountain-building, the growth and behavior of the strong, old cores of continents known as cratons, and the ways in which the relatively rigid plates that constitute the Earth's outer shell interact with each other."
"Principles of tectonics also provide a framework for understanding the earthquake and volcanic belts that directly affect much of the global population."
"Tectonic studies are important as guides for economic geologists searching for fossil fuels and ore deposits of metallic and nonmetallic resources."
"An understanding of tectonic principles can help geomorphologists to explain erosion patterns and other Earth-surface features."
"Tectonics (from Latin tectonicus; from Ancient Greek τεκτονικός (tektonikós) 'pertaining to building')"
"Tectonics result in the structure and properties of the Earth's crust and its evolution through time."
"The strong, old cores of continents are known as cratons."
"The relatively rigid plates that constitute the Earth's outer shell interact with each other."
"Tectonic studies serve as guides for economic geologists searching for fossil fuels and ore deposits of metallic and nonmetallic resources."
"Principles of tectonics provide a framework for understanding the earthquake and volcanic belts that directly affect much of the global population."
"An understanding of tectonic principles can help geomorphologists to explain erosion patterns and other Earth-surface features."
"Tectonic processes include those of mountain-building."
"Cratons are the strong, old cores of continents."
"Tectonic studies can help in identifying ore deposits of metallic and nonmetallic resources."
"Tectonic studies serve as guides for economic geologists searching for fossil fuels and metallic and nonmetallic resources."
"Tectonic processes result in the structure and properties of the Earth's crust and its evolution through time."
"The relatively rigid plates that constitute the Earth's outer shell interact with each other."
"An understanding of tectonic principles can help geomorphologists to explain erosion patterns and other Earth-surface features."
"Tectonic studies are important as guides for economic geologists and can serve as a framework for understanding seismic and volcanic activity."