Molly Kade, block 3/4 Essay: Evidence for Plate Tectonics There is scientific evidence for the evidence

of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics (P.T.) are demonstrated with volcano placement, earthquake location, global fossil distribution, and the age of rock layers. The theory of P.T. states that the earths crust is based upon solid plates floating on the liquid under layers of the earth. It helps show how the earths plates move. I will show you my reasoning for knowing plate tectonics are fact, not fiction. Volcanoes are formed when subterranean rock gets really hot, and turns into magma. After the rock becomes magma, it melts more rock until it breaks the surface. Then, it is considered lava, and a volcano has been formed. It must have been heated by something other than the constant heat of the earth, and this is where P.T. comes into play. When two plates rub together, the denser plate can go under the least dense one. This process is called subduction. There is enough friction and heat between these two plates to melt rock. In some places, the crust is thin enough for magma to rise on its own. However, there are clear lines of volcanoes. It is possible for an earthquake to form not near a plate boundary, but its a less common occurrence than ones along a plate. Without P.T. volcanoes would hardly ever form along distinct lines. Earthquakes are commonly known as the earths crust shaking, but not everyone knows how these tremors can prove the theory of plate tectonics. They are caused by two or more tectonic plates grinding together, and sometimes subduction. If you look at maps showing average earthquake placement, they are generally located along distinct lines. These are fault

lines, which occur where two faults meet. These faults are also known as plate boundaries. When the edges of plates grind together it creates an earthquake. Without the presence of P.T. there would be no plate boundaries to cause earthquakes. Global fossil distribution is also evidence of P.T. Fossilized organisms that would be incapable of swimming large seas can be found on opposing hemispheres. According to plate tectonics, the plates move on the liquid layer. Through time there have been supercontinents, which are giant land masses where all the plates shifted together. The location of these fossils show that supercontinents existed, as the organisms could not have travelled these vast distances on their own, which means they were at one point connected. Without P.T., these fossils would not be found on opposing continents, but clustered together on one continent. There are cracks along the ocean floor. Studies show that the rock on the edges of these cracks is newer than the surrounding rock. This simple fact helps indicate the presence of tectonic plates. These cracks in the ocean floor are faults or plate boundaries in oceanic plates. In these faults, magma rises and spreads to the edges of the crack before cooling. Then the process repeats. The age of these rocks indicates P.T. because otherwise there would be fewer cases of newer rock along distinct lines in the ocean. In conclusion, plate tectonics are nonfictional, as evidenced by volcano placement, earthquake placement, fossil location, and rock age. Some people deny the theory of plate tectonics, but these plates floating on the liquid layers are real. Without plates, the above things would not happen the same way.