Question

Which of the following can plate tectonics help explain? (Select all that apply.)

Answer 1

Answer:

- the distribution of earthquakes

- certain fossil distributions

- the distribution of volcanoes

- the location of mountain chains

Explanation:

The plate tectonics are crucial for the processes that happen on the surface or near it on our planet, as well as the physical features of it. The movement of the tectonic plates causes lot of stress when they interact, and from that stress, the crust deep inside cracks and adjusts, which releases a lot of energy and causes earthquakes. Also, on the plate boundaries, because the crust is cracking and is not as tough, the magma from the mantle manages to rise up, and as it reaches the surface it lifts up the land in a cone shape, creating volcanoes, be it as island or continental arcs. When continental tectonic plates collide, they don't subduct, but push against each other, and that enormous pressure lifts up the area around the boundary, gradually giving rise to mountain chains. The fossils are n interesting example as well, as they are one of the best clues about the movement of the tectonic plates. There are lot of fossils that are identical, from the same species, but found on different continents that are not connected in the present, indicating that in the past the continents had different positions and were connected.