Difference between revisions of "Tectonic"
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(Studies show that tectonic movement (with small blocks rather than large plates) is happening on Venus. Added references.) |
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| − | On Earth, large crustal plates float on the plastic mantle. It is thought that convection currents in the mantle cause these plates to move over the surface of the planet relative to each other. This causes continental drift, mid ocean ridges, rift valleys, oceanic trenches, mountain building, | + | On Earth, large rigid crustal plates float on the plastic mantle. It is thought that convection currents in the mantle cause these plates to move over the surface of the planet relative to each other. This causes continental drift, mid ocean ridges, rift valleys, oceanic trenches, mountain building, [[Volcano|Volcanoes]], and Earth [[Quakes]]. |
| − | Mars does not seem to have undergone as extensive tectonic activity as Earth. However, | + | Mars does not seem to have undergone as extensive tectonic activity as Earth. However, it is thought that there was tectonic activity for a short time, early in Mars' geologic history. |
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| + | Some have argued that [[Valles Marineris]] is a Rift Valley caused by two plates splitting apart. | ||
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| + | As Mars has cooled, the mantle has become less mobile, and no plate tectonics is currently thought to be active. It is thought that the water in Earth's oceans enters the mantle thru oceanic subduction zones, and this water helps to 'lubricate' the mantle flow on Earth. (This is unlikely to take place on Mars, which makes plate tectonics even less likely.) | ||
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| + | Venus is thought to have smaller plates (called blocks) which jostle each other like ice packs. <ref>https://www.pnas.org/content/118/26/e2025919118</ref> <ref>https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-020-0606-1</ref> This is the only example of likely tectonic activity discovered off of Earth. | ||
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| + | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 19:56, 21 July 2021
On Earth, large rigid crustal plates float on the plastic mantle. It is thought that convection currents in the mantle cause these plates to move over the surface of the planet relative to each other. This causes continental drift, mid ocean ridges, rift valleys, oceanic trenches, mountain building, Volcanoes, and Earth Quakes.
Mars does not seem to have undergone as extensive tectonic activity as Earth. However, it is thought that there was tectonic activity for a short time, early in Mars' geologic history.
Some have argued that Valles Marineris is a Rift Valley caused by two plates splitting apart.
As Mars has cooled, the mantle has become less mobile, and no plate tectonics is currently thought to be active. It is thought that the water in Earth's oceans enters the mantle thru oceanic subduction zones, and this water helps to 'lubricate' the mantle flow on Earth. (This is unlikely to take place on Mars, which makes plate tectonics even less likely.)
Venus is thought to have smaller plates (called blocks) which jostle each other like ice packs. [1] [2] This is the only example of likely tectonic activity discovered off of Earth.
