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MAXImum [283]
3 years ago
7

Why is the earth's lithosphere considered a giant jigsaw puzzle?

Geography
1 answer:
Pavlova-9 [17]3 years ago
3 0

The lithosphere, which is the rigid outermost shell of a planet (the crust and upper mantle), is broken up into tectonic plates. The Earth's lithosphere is composed of seven or eight major plates (depending on how they are defined) and many minor plates. Where the plates meet, their relative motion determines the type of boundary: convergent, divergent, or transform. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and oceanic trench formation occur along these plate boundaries. The relative movement of the plates typically ranges from zero to 100 mm annually.[2]

Tectonic plates are composed of oceanic lithosphere and thicker continental lithosphere, each topped by its own kind of crust. Along convergent boundaries, subduction carries plates into the mantle; the material lost is roughly balanced by the formation of new (oceanic) crust along divergent margins by seafloor spreading. In this way, the total surface of the lithosphere remains the same. This prediction of plate tectonics is also referred to as the conveyor belt principle. Earlier theories, since disproven, proposed gradual shrinking (contraction) or gradual expansion of the globe.[3]

Tectonic plates are able to move because the Earth's lithosphere has greater strength than the underlying asthenosphere. Lateral density variations in the mantle result in convection. Plate movement is thought to be driven by a combination of the motion of the seafloor away from the spreading ridge (due to variations in topography and density of the crust, which result in differences in gravitational forces) and drag, with downward suction, at the subduction zones. Another explanation lies in the different forces generated by tidal forces of the Sun and Moon. The relative importance of each of these factors and their relationship to each other is unclear, and still the subject of much debate.

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GREYUIT [131]
18
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B is the vertex angle of isosceles triangle. So AB = BC and base side is AC.
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8 0
3 years ago
what processes that occur during the formation of metamorphic rocks that make it difficult for fossils to survive
AVprozaik [17]

Answer:

Thermal deformation

6 0
3 years ago
Over which two landscape regions do the streams in watershed D flow?
Kazeer [188]
After reviewing the map of the individual watersheds in New York State, the answer is really easy to determine. The two landscape regions that the streams in watershed D flows over is the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The correct answer choice is 4. 
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What landforms are made<br> by wind erosion
irinina [24]
Loess and sand dunes I believe <span />
4 0
3 years ago
I am located north of the nile but it is not the Mediterranean Sea​
MissTica

The location is in the Levantine Sea.

Explanation:

The Levantine Sea is located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, thus it can be said that it is a subdivision of it. The borders of this sea are comprised of Egypt on its south, Turkey on its north, Syria,Lebanon, Israel, and the Gaza strip on the east, Aegean Sea on the northeast, and Mediterranean Sea on the west. This sea is located in the warmest part of the Mediterranean, thus it has the warmest waters, as well as the highest salinity.

The largest and best known island in the Levantine Sea is Cyprus, and it is also the only sovereign country in it, though it can also be said that there are two separte countries on the island. The sea has three subdivisions, one of which is the Cilician Sea, while the other two are the Gulf of Iskenderun and Gulf of Antalia. This Sea is very important for the region, especially because it has a direct connection with the Red Sea, so it is one of the most exploited trading routs in the world.

Some characteristics of this sea are:

  • depth of 4,384 m
  • area of 320,000 square km
  • the Nile River flows into it
  • it is located in a highly geologically active area

Learn more about the importance of the Nile River brainly.com/question/1448281

#learnwithBrainly

8 0
3 years ago
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