Final answer:
Plate tectonics is a theory that explains the movement and interaction of Earth's plates. Evidence supporting this theory includes earthquakes occurring along plate boundaries, volcanoes being located near plate boundaries, rocks showing magnetic striping, and the fitting together of continental coastlines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Theory of Plate Tectonics
The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement and interaction of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into several large and small plates. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere and are constantly moving. Plate tectonics is supported by several lines of evidence including the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, the magnetic properties of rocks, and the matching shapes of coastlines and fossil evidence across continents.
Evidence supporting plate tectonics:
- Evidence from earthquakes: Earthquakes occur along plate boundaries, which coincide with the boundaries of tectonic plates. This suggests that the movement of plates is responsible for seismic activity.
- Evidence from volcanic activity: Most volcanoes are located near plate boundaries, particularly at convergent and divergent plate boundaries. This indicates that the movement and interaction of plates are related to the formation of volcanic activity.
- Evidence from magnetic properties of rocks: Rocks have shown a pattern of magnetic striping, where rocks on either side of a mid-ocean ridge have different magnetic orientations. This suggests that new oceanic crust is constantly forming at mid-ocean ridges and spreading outward from there.
- Evidence from continental drift: The coastlines of continents such as Africa and South America appear to fit together like puzzle pieces, indicating that they were once connected. The distribution of fossils also supports this idea, as similar species have been found on different continents that are now far apart.
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