Subject: GEO 101A Geology for Civil Engineers

1. What is Plate Tectonic Theory?

 Tectonic plates, large slabs of rock that divide Earth’s crust, move constantly to reshape the
Earth’s landscape. The system of ideas behind plate tectonics theory suggests that Earth's
outer shell (lithosphere) is divided into several plates that glide over the Earth’s rocky inner
layer above the soft core (mantle). The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to
Earth's mantle. The mantle sits between Earth's dense, very hot core and its thin outer layer,
the crust.
 Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into large slabs of solid rock,
called “plates,” that glide over Earth's mantle, the rocky inner layer above Earth’s core.

2. What is Continental Drift Theory?

 Continental drift is the hypothesis that the Earth's continents have moved over geologic time
relative to each other, thus appearing to have "drifted" across the ocean bed. The idea of
continental drift has been subsumed into the science of plate tectonics, which studies the
movement of the continents as they ride on plates of the Earth's lithosphere.
 The theory of continental drift was rejected for many years, with evidence in its favor
considered insufficient. One problem was that a plausible driving force was missing.

3. What is the difference between Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift?

 Tectonics is the study of deformation (folding, faulting and metamorphism) and its causes in
the crust. Plate tectonics can be thought of as a special case of tectonics, but in reality it is a
theory unto itself. Plate tectonics theory comprises the set of models that explains tectonism
and other geological processes through interactions at plate boundaries.
 According to plate tectonic theory, the lithospheric level is divided into plates that move
across the Earth. Where these plates collide, volcanoes, earthquakes, or both occur as the
plates scrape against one another, sometimes violently colliding.

4. Who proposed Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift?

 Alfred Wegener was proposed the two theories. In the early 20th century, Wegener published
a paper explaining his theory that the continental landmasses were “drifting” across the Earth,
sometimes plowing through oceans and into each other. He called this movement continental
drift.

5. What is Pangea and it's relation to Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift?
 Pangea is a Greek term that means "whole land." Alfred Wegener's theory was that all of the
continents were connected. That we presently have were previously related These two ideas
provide knowledge that can be useful to us and how the Pangea split and became continents