Plate Tectonic Theory and Mountains

Posted by Amelia Miles on January 18th, 2021

The plate tectonic theory is a theory that explains and defines Earth’s lithosphere motions, which are believed to be in large scale. Based on the earlier theories of continental drift, the theory indicates that original energy that drives plate tectonics is found in the mantle dissipation of heat. There has not been a decisive conclusion on how theory of plate tectonics works but the available data provides a clear definition. The interior part of Earth is made of lithosphere and the crust. Directly below a lithosphere is an asthenosphere, which is solid in nature but can flow as liquids while on long time scales. Moreover, it has huge convention currents that take heat to the surface, hence breaking apart plates from magma which is less dense in spreading centers. Therefore, the consequences of the plates breaking are volcanoes and oceanic trench, mountain building and earthquakes. One of the major activities involved with plate tectonic is mountain building, which also forms part of the development of the theory. Mountain building, practically, is created as the consequence of the breaking and eruption of tectonic plate.

Volcanic Mountains. Volcanoes are created from the relative movement of tectonic plates, which then erupt to form mountains. This type of formation is called a volcanic arc system, which is created as a result of melting of a sinking oceanic plate in an area called subduction zone. Examples of Volcano Mountains are the common composite cones, which include Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Fuji. There are also shield volcanoes, which include Mt. Mauna Loa, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Shasta. Shied volcanoes have a cone which is sloping due to an emitted material with a low viscosity. Hotspot Volcanoes Mountains are much different from normal volcanic mountains. It’s created upon movements of the earth’s mantle called plume, hence upon the melting of subdued oceanic crust. There are analysis and research on this matter. There has been a debate in an attempt to understand this phenomenon.

Fold and Fault Mountains. Fold Mountains are created when plates collide or sometimes when they undergo a subduction, hence they tend to fold or buckle to form mountains. Fold Mountains have characteristics of an ore genesis with a folding and thrusting event. Fault Mountains, on the other hand, are created through a movement of the Earth’s crust in the action that involves rheology of layers and subsequent isostasy forces. Examples of Fold and Fault Mountains include Mt. Jura; even Zagros Mountains are part of them.

Block Mountains. They result from tilting and raise of fault blocks. Higher blocks comprise of horsts and troughs named grabens, hence, their spreading apart results in disturbance of tensional forces. A plate splits apart when tensional forces grow strong resulting in a center block dropping down in its flanking blocks. An example of Block Mountains is the Sierra Nevada Range.

In conclusion, mountains are created within the interruption and separation of tectonic plates as described in the tectonic plate theory. Currently, the number of mountains created in the same way is found on every continent in the world. Volcanic mountains are the most common and largest number of the mountains with Mount Kilimanjaro being among the highest of them. Hot spot volcanoes building has been a controversy for some time with discussions of the way they were created being researched.

 If the article was cognitive for you, proceed to read other articles from our essays creator with a click on the link. Most of the articles are written by Amelia Miles, a history essay writer.