Importance of Plate Tectonics

The seismic movements caused by an earthquake, the eruption of a volcano or certain phenomena of the climate They have a direct relationship with the geological structure of the interior of the Earth. To know this type of phenomena it is necessary to understand a scientific theory, the theory of plate tectonics.

Fundamentals of the theory

The theory of plate tectonics is based on two different contributions: 1) the continental drift proposed by the scientist Alfred Lothar Wegener around 1910 and the expansion of the ocean floor, an explanatory proposal of the geologist Harry Hammond Hess in the decade of 1960. The combination of both supposed a new conception of the terrestrial plates. This theory explains the structure of the earth's crust. Thus, it is affirmed that the Earth's crust is formed by a series of rigid plates that are in constant motion. These blocks or plates rest on a layer of hot, flexible rock known as the asthenosphere.

This theory allows us to explain the training of mountain ranges and, at the same time, how tectonic plates move over the fluid Earth's mantle.

To prevent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, it is necessary to know how tectonic plates move.

The destructive capacity of volcanoes and earthquakes has devastating effects in some cases. Scientists still do not know how to predict this type of phenomenon. However, it is considered that the study of plate tectonics is essential so that in the future it will be possible to know in advance when a volcano will erupt or when the first movements of an earthquake will begin.

The Earth has three distinct layers: on the outside is the crust, then the mantle and finally the core.

The crust and the superficial part of the mantle make up the tectonic plates. He heat from the interior of the Earth heats the magma that is in the depth and rises towards the upper part of the mantle where it cools again. This occurs by a convection process, which causes some plates to grow and others to shrink.

In some areas of the Earth, one plate is inserted inside another, identifying territories known as subduction zones. This is what happens on the Chilean coasts or in Central America, places where the friction of tectonic plates acts as a trigger for most earthquakes. Sometimes plate movements cause cracks in the earth's crust, and these cracks are known as faults.

Fotolia: popaukropa – wolvesandsheep