Earth Sciences 2240F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Tangled, Outer Core, Oceanic Crust
20 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
Earth is different from other planets in our solar system because of the unique processes grouped under the term. In both cases, what had at first seemed like a diverse set of almost random observations could suddenly be explained by a relatively simple, coherent theory. For geological engineers, plate tectonics is important because it explains, in large part, why and where significant deformation of earth"s surface occurs (thus where not to build bridges, for instance). To economic earth scientists, it explains the type and location of many metallic mineral deposits. It explains the global distribution of earthquake and volcanic hazards, although the timing and magnitude of natural disasters is a bit trickier! Continents, ocean basins, and mountain ranges all are produced by plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics was assembled by a number of scientists working over many years.
