GEO 1111 Lecture 2: Tectonic plates

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Geology
• Course: GEO 1111
• Professor: David Schneider

Document Summary

Characteristics of tectonic plates: they evolve through time. 1- they are rigid layers that compose the outer shell of the earth. 2- they move slowly at a pace of 1 cm a year. 3- most of the large scale geologic activity happen at their extremities. 4- the center of the plates is relatively event free. How we know about the shape of the plates: Side-note: mountains exist because of tectonic plates colliding. For example, the himalaya is the result of the plate of india is crashing into asia. Earthquake: earth vibrations caused by the quick release of energy stored in the rock. The earthquakes release the stress that accumulated because of the plates rubbing against each other. Once released from its source, the energy radiates in all direction (3-dimensional plane). The energy disperses in the form of waves. There"s two type of waves: body waves and surface waves (the ones that create damage).