Earth sciences and Geology: Checklists, Jobs, Projects, Skills, Study Assistance & Summaries

Tectonics is the scientific discipline that studies the large-scale deformation of the Earth's crust and mantle, the forces that drive these movements, and the resulting features like mountains, volcanoes, and ocean trenches. It's essentially the story of how our planet's rocky shell, broken into plates, moves and interacts over immense stretches of time.

What are the main features of tectonics?

• Plate Tectonics Theory: This fundamental concept forms the backbone of tectonics, explaining how Earth's rigid outer layer (lithosphere) is fractured into several tectonic plates that move on a hot, flowing layer (asthenosphere) below.
• Deformation Processes: Tectonics explores the processes that deform the Earth's crust, including folding, faulting, stretching, and compression. These processes are driven by plate movements and internal forces within the Earth.
• Geologic History: Understanding the movement of tectonic plates throughout Earth's history allows us to reconstruct past continents, mountain ranges, and ocean basins.

What are important