The Story of Plate Tectonics

URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/dynamic.html

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This booklet provides a brief introduction to the concept of plate tectonics and complements the visual and written information in This Dynamic Planet, a map published in 1994 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Smithsonian Institution. The booklet highlights some of the people and discoveries that advanced the development of the theory and traces its progress since its proposal. Although the general idea of plate tectonics is now widely accepted, many aspects still continue to confound and challenge scientists. The earth science revolution launched by the theory of plate tectonics is not over. The booklet may be downloaded as a pdf file or purchased in hard copy through USGS in Denver CO.

Summary

Subject keyword(s)	Astronomy, Earth and space science, Earth processes, Earth science, Earth system structure, Education (General), Geography, Geologic time, Geology, Geophysics, Geoscience, History and nature of science, History of science, Natural hazards, Physical geography, Physical sciences, plate motion, Plate tectonics, Science, Science -- Geology, Scientific breakthroughs, Social Sciences, Space Science, Space sciences, Structural geology, thermal plume
Grade level	Middle School, High School, Higher Education, Informal Education, Vocational/Professional Development Education
Intended audience	Educator, Learner
Resource type	Audio/Visual, Book/Chapter, Instructional Material, Reference Material, Text
Resource format	text, text/html
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Content contained within the resource

View of the planet Earth from the Apollo spacecraft. The Red Sea,which separates Saudi Arabia from the continent of Africa, is clearly visibleat the top. (Photograph courtesy of NASA.)   Contents Preface Historical perspective Developing the theory Understanding plate motions "Hotspots": Mantle thermal plumes Some unanswered questions Plate tectonics and people Endnotes Ordering InstructionsThis book was originally published in paper formin February 1996 (design and coordination by Martha Kiger; illustrations and production by Jane Russell). It is for sale from: U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop SSOP Washington, DC 20402-9328 or it can be ordered directly from the U.S. Geological Survey: Call toll-free 1-888-ASK-USGS Or write to USGS Information Services Box 25286, Building 810 Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 303-202-4700; Fax 303-202-4693 ISBN 0-16-048220-8 Version History Version 1.15 The online edition contains all text from the original book in its entirety. Some figures have been modified to enhance legibility at screenresolutions. PDF Version You can download a Portable Document Format version of This Dynamic Earth [3.75 MB]. This document is a captured version of the Web site. Get the free Adobe Reader. Linked Websites Please visit the Smithsonian Institution This Dynamic Planet website. This site provides interactive mapping functions (including zoom), contains additional information not shown on the printed paper map, and includes downloadable PDF files of all map components and HTML pages. See also This Dynamic Planet, the map showing the Earth's physiographic features, current plate movements, and locations of volcanoes, earthquakes, and impact craters. The USGS also has created a website for teachers: This Dynamic Planet: A Teaching Companion. Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. USGS Home Page U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/dynamic.html Maintained by Publishing Services Last modified: 14:46:30 Mon 19 Sep 2011 Privacy statement | General disclaimer | Accessibility