Chapter 5: Plate Tectonics
Wegener on expedition to gather data
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Fossil evidence for "continental drift"
Why did Wegener think this information is important? |
Animations courtesy of USGS
The Dynamic Earth: the story of plate tectonics: an online presentation by Kious and Tilling via the USGS
The age of ocean crust is color-coded. Where is the oldest crust? the youngest?
The Farallon Plate subducted under the North American plate millions of years ago. It is still descending into the mantle beneath the U.S. as shown here in a 3D map made using seismic waves to deduce structures inside Earth. As this plate skimmed underneath the North American plate from west to east, it may have played a role in building the Rocky Mountains. It may also play a role in the dangerous New Madrid fault zone just south of St. Louis.
Study Guide and Vocabulary for Chapter 5
Study Guide and Vocabulary for Chapter 5