Plate Tectonics
Plate tectonics is relatively new, put forth in the last 30 years or so — its forerunner was the now-discarded continental drift theory. The theory states that Earth's outer shell is made up of huge slabs of rock called plates that glide over the planet's inner layer, or mantle. As these plates shift, they sometimes collide with other plates, making for some interesting, and even deadly, results on Earth's surface, from erupting volcanoes, to earthquakes, to new mountain ranges. Here's a look at Live Science's news and features related to this constantly moving jigsaw puzzle.
Latest about plate tectonics
Mass die-off half a billion years ago caused by shifting tectonic plates, ancient rocks reveal
By Stephanie Pappas published
A large extinction in the midst of the expansion of life during the Cambrian period was caused by the tectonics of a supercontinent, new research argues.
Sleeping subduction zone could awaken and form a new 'Ring of Fire' that swallows the Atlantic Ocean
By Sascha Pare published
A modeling study suggests a slumbering subduction zone below the Gibraltar Strait is active and could break into the Atlantic Ocean in 20 million years' time, giving birth to an Atlantic "Ring of Fire."
Pangaea: Facts about an ancient supercontinent
By Laura Geggel, Tia Ghose last updated
Reference Pangaea is Earth's most recent supercontinent, which existed 320 million to 195 million years ago.
Seattle's massive fault may result from oceanic crust 'unzipping itself' 55 million years ago
By Sascha Pare published
Magnetic data suggest Seattle's fault line formed 55 million years ago, when the southern half of a subducting chain of volcanic islands piled onto the continent and tore apart from the northern half.
'We were very surprised': Magma under Reykjanes Peninsula rushed into Grindavík dike at a shockingly fast rate
By Hannah Osborne published
Magma flowed into the dike beneath Grindavík at a rate almost 100 times higher than what was seen in the eruptions that took place between 2021 and 2023.
Massive tectonic collision causing Himalayas to grow may also be splitting Tibet apart
By Stephanie Pappas published
The Indian plate may be peeling into two as it slides under the Eurasian plate, tearing Tibet apart in the process.
Columbia, Rodinia and Pangaea: A history of Earth's supercontinents
By Patrick Pester published
Scientists have identified three definitive supercontinents in Earth's history and predict the landmasses we live on today will come together again in the future.
Tsunamis up to 90 feet high smash into New Zealand every 580 years, study finds
By Stephanie Pappas published
A new method of assessing tsunami risk in New Zealand finds that giant waves could hit the country's shores once every 500 years.
Scientists finally discover 'lost continent' thought to have vanished without a trace
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists have pieced together the remnants of a continent that broke off from western Australia 155 million years ago and seemingly vanished as it drifted northward toward Southeast Asia.
Zealandia, Earth's hidden continent, was torn from supercontinent Gondwana in flood of fire 100 million years ago
By Carissa Wong published
Scientists have fully mapped the lost continent of Zealandia in a world first, discovering new details about how it broke away from the supercontinent Gondwana through the ignition of a huge volcanic region tens of millions of years ago.
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