ESS 101 Lecture 3: ESS 101 Plate Tectonics Notes
24 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Lithosphere (cid:858)floats(cid:859) o(cid:374) the partially melted asthenosphere: lithosphere and asthenosphere are in isostatic equilibrium. When a load, such as an ice sheet was placed on the lithosphere it will isostatically depress relative to the asthenosphere: when the weight is lifted (the ice melts) the lithosphere isostatically rebounds. Plate tectonics can explain: the presence of volcanic mid ocean ridges, volcanic mountain chains around the pacific. Ocean basin: the matching coastlines of africa and europe and. Paleontological evidence supports plate tectonics and assemblages on adjacent continents plate motions. Fossil evidence of land animals and plants that lived during the paleozoic era are now found on disparate continents separated by 1000s of miles of ocean. Plate tectonics can explain the spatial distribution of volcanoes around the world, including those around the rim of the pacific (called the ring of fire) Plate tectonics can explain the spatial distribution of seismic activity around the world including the depth of their respective foci.
