Examples of regional metamorphic rocks include schist and gneiss. Thermal metamorphic rocks, also known as contact metamorphic rocks, are formed by extreme heat along with quite a bit of pressure. The pressure pushes the molten rock against the Earth's surface, causing it to recrystallize. Examples of thermal metamorphic rocks are marble and sandstone
Explain why tectonic processes produce a variety of contrasting landscapes. (70 Marks) This report will outline how a variety of different landscapes and the general world topography is affected by tectonic processes. In order to do this, the report will give a range of evidence and case studies to support this theory of tectonic processes creating certain contrasting landscapes. The case studies this report intends to use are: * Fold Mountains – The Himalayas, Nepal * Oceanic Trench – Marianas Trench, Pacific Ocean * Oceanic Ridges – Mid – Atlantic Ridge, Atlantic Ocean * Tear Faults – San Andreas Fault, USA * Igneous Intrusions – Batholith, Devon and Cornwall UK * Igneous Intrusions – Sill, Great Whin Sill, UK What are plate tectonics? Plate tectonics was first suggested as a theory by the geologist Alfred Wegener in 1915 when he proposed the concept of continental drift.
The reason for the movement is convection currents originating in the core caused by radioactive decay. Knowing the theory of plate tectonics is a useful tool in understanding the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes as they correlate very closely. If we map out the location of major earth quakes, location of active volcanoes and a map of general plat tectonic, the 3 would overlap. This gives us a general idea of locations and correlations. Each boundary between 2 plates have the capability of being a different type of boundary.
Wegener's theory also provided an alternate explanation for the formation of mountains (orogenesis). The theory being discussed during his time was the "Contraction theory" which suggested that the planet was once a molten ball and in the process of cooling the surface cracked and folded up on itself. The big problem with this idea was that all mountain ranges should be approximately the same age, and this was known not to be true. Wegener's explanation was that as the continents moved, the leading edge of the continent would encounter resistance and thus compress and fold upwards forming mountains near the leading edges of the drifting continents. The Sierra Nevada Mountains on the Pacific coast of North America and the Andes on the coast of South America were cited.
Tectonic Plates:- The movement of Continental plates, furthermore renowned as Tectonic Plates, is renowned as “Tectonic Movement”. It is a technical theory that recounts the large-scale movement of Earth's lithosphere i.e. the outer layer of earth. Geologically, the outer layer of earth, which is also renowned as “Crust”, is divided into “lithosphere” and “Asthenosphere”. This is founded on dissimilarities in mechanical properties and in the procedure for the transfer of heat.
GCSE Geography Explain the process which leads to the development of one landform at a destructive plate boundary (6 marks). A destructive plate margin is an area where two plates are moving towards each other. The point where the two plates meet is called the subduction zone, where one plate is forced down under the other into the mantle. The subducted plate is cooler and denser than the surrounding mantle and gravity pulls it down. Along the coast of south America, the Nazca plate is moving towards the south American plate.
There are divergent boundaries where the plates are moving away from each other and new land is formed as magma is released from inside the mantle. There are convergent boundaries where the plates are moving toward each other. At convergent boundaries mountains or trenches can form. The last type of boundary is a transform boundary where the plates move past each other and can cause an earthquake
J. Subbiondo © 2004The CrustThe outer layer of the Earth is called the crust. It is made up of rock that floated to the surface when the Earth was formed. It is not a continuous layer, but is made up of large masses called tectonic plates.These plates drift slowly across the Earth's surface (tectonic means moving).The movement of these plates creates mountains and valleys.At weak points in the crust, it causes volcanic eruptions. And when plates bump into each other, earthquakes occur -- emitting shock waves or vibrations called seismic waves. The crust is the Earth's coldest layer.
Plate Tectonic Theory What is Plate Tectonics? Plate tectonics is the main force that shapes our planet’s surface over a long period of time the study of how the Earth's crust is shaped by geological forces. It relies on the understanding that the crust is divided into large pieces, or plates, that sit on the molten interior of the planet. Currents within the interior cause the plates to move, which causes many different geological events, including earthquakes and the forming of mountains and volcanoes. Understanding how plates move and interact is the main purpose of plate tectonics.
These volcanoes are caused by tectonic plates that make up part of the earths surface. Both of these countries are near the gaps, where magma can seep through, causing a volcano. These tectonic plates can cau`se earthquakes as well. Japan is located at the junction of 4 tectonic plates - the Pacific, Philippine, Eurasian and North American plates, making Japan the place that is known for earthquakes. Both Japan as well as Italy have water surrounding them either on most or all sides.