The basis of the scientist in dividing the Earth's lithosphere into several segments called plates is the distribution of earthquake epicenters, location of volcanoes, and formation of mountain ranges. All of this geological features that are formed because of plate movement. Majority of them are situated along plate boundaries. Earthquake epicenters are situated in all areas with active volcanoes and mountain ranges but, not all areas with earthquake epicenters have mountain ranges and active volcanoes.
Lithosphere
Is the rock portion of the earth. It is composed of the crust and the upper mantle which are both solid that are made up of rocks. Tectonic plate are also called as lithospheric plate.
Two Types of Lithospheric Plates
- Oceanic Plate
- Continental Plate
Oceanic Plate
Are thinner and have a higher density compared to continental plate. Examples are: Pacific plate, Antarctic Plate
Continental Plate
Thicker and have a lesser density compared to oceanic plate. Examples are: Eurasian plate, African plate, North American plate, South American plate, Australian plate.
Three Geological Features that Serves as basis for the Scientist in Dividing the Earth's Lithosphere:
- Earthquake
- Volcanoes
- Mountain Ranges
Earthquake
Slippage along the fault or the plate boundary, releases tremendous amount of energy which causes vibration on the surface of the Earth which is commonly known as Earthquake.
Types of Earthquake
Tectonic Earthquake
Tectonic earthquake is the result of the movement of the plate which produces tremendous amount of energy that travels in all direction away from the epicenter causing shaking on the surface.
Volcanic Earthquake
Volcanic Earthquake occurs due to the volcanic activity of erupting volcanoes. Volcanic activity due to the rising of magma on the surface of the earth causes shaking in surrounding areas known as volcanic earthquake.
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Volcanoes
Are formed along convergent boundaries wherein when two plates collide, denser plate will subduct beneath the other and move towards the mantle. When the subducted plate reaches the mantle, it melts and turns into a magma which rise up on the surface creating Volcanoes. Some volcanoes are formed on divergent boundary particularly on the mid-Atlantic ridge. Some Volcanoes are formed over the hot spot like the Volcanoes on the Hawaiian Islands.
Mountain Ranges
Are formed between between the collision of continental-to-continental convergence. Collision zone is created in this type of collision, no trench, no volcanoes but only large group of tall mountains are created known as mountain ranges. One very good example is the Himalayas mountain.
Three Types of Plate boundary
- Convergent Boundary
- Divergent Boundary
- Transform Fault Boundary
Convergent Boundary
Occurs when two plates moves towards each other. It can be continental to continental convergence, oceanic to oceanic convergence, continental to oceanic convergence. This is also the type of plate boundaries where all the geological features that serves as basis for the scientist in dividing the earth's lithosphere are present.
Divergent Boundary
Occurs when plates moves away from each other.
Transform Fault Boundary
Occurs when the plate slide past each other.
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