FIELD THEORY

SAQIB JAMIL
 • Introduction
• Definition
• Types Of Theories
CONTENT • Plate Tectonics
• Concept
• Principle
• Layers Of Earth
• Proofs
• Endnote
FIELD THEORY 2 11/05/2022
INTRODUCTION
Definition of field theory:
A theory that explains physical phenomena in terms of a field and the manner in which it
interacts with matter or with other fields.
Theories:
1. Classical field theory
2. Quantum field theory
3. Plate tectonics etc.

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PLATE TECTONICS

The process of plate tectonics may be driven by convection in

earth’s mantle, the pull of heavy old pieces of crust into the mantle, or
some combination of both. For a deeper discussion of plate-driving
mechanisms, see plate-driving mechanisms and the role of the mantle.

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CONCEPT
The concept of plate tectonics was formulated in the 1960s.

According to the theory, earth has a rigid outer layer, known as the lithosphere, which is typically about
100 km (60 miles) thick and overlies a plastic (moldable, partially molten) layer called the asthenosphere.
The lithosphere is broken up into seven very large continental- and ocean-sized plates, six or seven medium-
sized regional plates, and several small ones. These plates move relative to each other, typically at rates of 5
to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) per year, and interact along their boundaries, where they converge, diverge, or slip
past one another. Such interactions are thought to be responsible for most of earth’s seismic and volcanic
activity, although earthquakes and volcanoes can occur in plate interiors.
Plate motions cause mountains to rise where plates push together, or converge, and continents to fracture
and oceans to form where plates pull apart, or diverge. The continents are embedded in the plates and drift
passively with them, which over millions of years results in significant changes in earth’s geography.

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PRINCIPLE
In essence, plate-tectonic theory is elegantly simple. Earth’s surface layer, 50 to
100 km (30 to 60 miles) thick, is rigid and is composed of a set of large and small
plates. Together, these plates constitute the lithosphere, from the Greek lithos,
meaning “rock.” The lithosphere rests on and slides over an underlying partially
molten (and thus weaker but generally denser) layer of plastic partially molten
rock known as the asthenosphere, from the Greek asthenos, meaning “weak.”
Plate movement is possible because the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary is a
zone of detachment. As the lithospheric plates move across earth’s surface, driven
by forces as yet not fully understood, they interact along their boundaries,
diverging, converging, or slipping past each other. While the interiors of the plates
are presumed to remain essentially un-deformed, plate boundaries are the sites of
many of the principal processes that shape the terrestrial surface, including
earthquakes, volcanism, and orogeny (that is, formation of mountain ranges).

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LAYERS OF EARTH
Knowledge of earth’s interior is
derived primarily from analysis of the
seismic waves that propagate through
earth as a result of earthquakes.
Depending on the material they travel
through, the waves may either speed
up, slow down, bend, or even stop if
they cannot penetrate the material they
encounter.

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 PRINCIPLE PROOFS OF THEORY
Following are the major 4 proofs of the theory of plate tectonics

• The geometric fit of the displaced continents (matching distant coastlines)

• The similarity of rock ages and Paleozoic fossils in corresponding bands or zones in areas that were
once adjacent, such as south America and west Africa

• The existence of ophiolite suites (slivers of oceanic floor containing fossils) found uplifted into the
upper levels of mountain chains

• Radiometric dating evidence, which shows that rock ages are similar.

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