Earth Science - Evidence and Models of Plate Tectonics

This lecture examines evidence for plate tectonics, including seafloor spreading, Pangaea’s breakup, ocean drilling, hotspots, paleomagnetism, and magnetic reversals. It also compares whole-mantle convection and layer-cake models for the forces driving plate motion.

Syllabus

CHANGING PLATES AND PLATE BOUNDARIES
PANGAEA'S BREAKUP
FUTURE PLATE TECTONICS
EVIDENCE: OCEAN DRILLING
EVIDENCE: MANTLE PLUMES AND HOT SPOTS
EVIDENCE: PALEOMAGNETISM
EVIDENCE: POLAR WANDERING
EVIDENCE: MAGNETIC REVERSALS
FORCES THAT DRIVE PLATE MOTION
WHOLE-MANTLE CONVECTION MODEL
LAYER CAKE MODEL