What is Tectonics?

Tectonics is the study of the Earth's crust and the processes that shape it over time. It includes the movement of tectonic plates, the formation of mountain ranges, and the creation of geological features such as faults and folds.

Tectonic Plates

Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth's crust that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. There are several major and minor tectonic plates, and their movement and interactions are responsible for many geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Plate Boundaries

Plate boundaries are the areas where tectonic plates meet. There are several types of plate boundaries, including divergent boundaries where plates move apart, convergent boundaries where plates collide, and transform boundaries where plates slide past each other.

Mountain Building

The movement of tectonic plates can result in the formation of mountain ranges through processes such as subduction, where one plate is forced beneath another, and collision, where two plates come together, pushing up the Earth's crust to form mountains.

Earthquakes and Volcanism

Tectonic activity is also responsible for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Earthquakes occur when built-up tectonic stress is released, while volcanic eruptions result from the movement of magma beneath the Earth's surface.