Final answer:
The theory of plate tectonics explains how the Earth's surface changes over time due to the movement of large and small plates. It has resulted in the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the rearrangement of continents. Plate tectonics is an ongoing process that shapes the Earth's surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory of plate tectonics explains how the Earth's outer shell, or lithosphere, is divided into several large and small moving plates. These plates are constantly shifting, colliding, and separating, resulting in various geological events. Plate tectonics has played a significant role in changing Earth's surface over time, contributing to the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the creation of new landforms like rift valleys and ocean trenches.
For example, the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate formed the Himalayas, the tallest mountain range on Earth. The movement of the Pacific Plate along the Ring of Fire leads to frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in the Pacific region. Additionally, the separation of the African Plate from the South American Plate created the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, an underwater mountain range.
Plate tectonics also affects the distribution of continents and oceans. Over millions of years, continents have drifted apart, leading to the current arrangement of continents on Earth. This concept, known as continental drift, explains why the coastlines of South America and Africa fit together like puzzle pieces. Plate tectonics has shaped the Earth's surface and continues to shape it today.
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