What term describes the movement of the Earth's plates relative to one another?

What term describes the movement of the Earth's plates relative to one another?

• A. Plate tectonics
• B. Continental drift
• C. Subduction
• D. Seafloor spreading

Answer: (A)

The term that best describes the movement of the Earth's plates relative to one another is plate tectonics. This concept encompasses the theory that the Earth's outer shell, or lithosphere, is divided into several large and small plates, which glide over the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. The interactions of these tectonic plates at their boundaries—whether they are colliding, separating, or sliding past each other—lead to various geological phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges. Continental drift is related but refers specifically to the movement of continents over geological time. It is an earlier hypothesis that laid the groundwork for the broader plate tectonics theory. Subduction is a process that occurs at convergent plate boundaries where one plate is forced under another. While subduction is a crucial aspect of plate tectonics, it does not encompass all of the movements and interactions of the tectonic plates. Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and moves outward, contributing to the larger framework of plate tectonics but again, does not describe the wide range of movements and interactions of all plates. Therefore, plate tectonics is the most comprehensive term that accurately captures the relative movement

The term that best describes the movement of the Earth's plates relative to one another is plate tectonics. This concept encompasses the theory that the Earth's outer shell, or lithosphere, is divided into several large and small plates, which glide over the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. The interactions of these tectonic plates at their boundaries—whether they are colliding, separating, or sliding past each other—lead to various geological phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges.

Continental drift is related but refers specifically to the movement of continents over geological time. It is an earlier hypothesis that laid the groundwork for the broader plate tectonics theory.

Subduction is a process that occurs at convergent plate boundaries where one plate is forced under another. While subduction is a crucial aspect of plate tectonics, it does not encompass all of the movements and interactions of the tectonic plates.

Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and moves outward, contributing to the larger framework of plate tectonics but again, does not describe the wide range of movements and interactions of all plates.

Therefore, plate tectonics is the most comprehensive term that accurately captures the relative movement