PPT: Plate Tectonics Notes | EduRev

 Page 1


GEOGRAPHY 
CRASH COURSE
CAPSTONE IAS LEARNING
Page 2


GEOGRAPHY 
CRASH COURSE
CAPSTONE IAS LEARNING
Page 3


GEOGRAPHY 
CRASH COURSE
CAPSTONE IAS LEARNING
Plate Tectonics
• In 1967, McKenzie and Parker suggested the theory of 
plate tectonics. Morgan later outlined the theory in 1968.
• According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earth’s 
lithosphere is broken into distinct plates which are 
floating on a ductile layer called asthenosphere (upper 
part of the mantle).
• Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid 
units.
• The oceanic plates contain mainly the Simatic crust and 
are relatively thinner, while the continental plates 
contain Sialic material and are relatively thicker.
Page 4


GEOGRAPHY 
CRASH COURSE
CAPSTONE IAS LEARNING
Plate Tectonics
• In 1967, McKenzie and Parker suggested the theory of 
plate tectonics. Morgan later outlined the theory in 1968.
• According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earth’s 
lithosphere is broken into distinct plates which are 
floating on a ductile layer called asthenosphere (upper 
part of the mantle).
• Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid 
units.
• The oceanic plates contain mainly the Simatic crust and 
are relatively thinner, while the continental plates 
contain Sialic material and are relatively thicker.
• Lithospheric plates (tectonic plates) vary 
from minor plates to major 
plates, continental plates (Arabian plate) 
to oceanic plates (Pacific plate), sometimes 
a combination of both continental and oceanic 
plates (Indo-Australian plate).
• The movement of these crustal plates (due to 
convection currents in the mantle) causes the 
formation of various landforms and is the 
principal cause of all earth movements
Page 5


GEOGRAPHY 
CRASH COURSE
CAPSTONE IAS LEARNING
Plate Tectonics
• In 1967, McKenzie and Parker suggested the theory of 
plate tectonics. Morgan later outlined the theory in 1968.
• According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earth’s 
lithosphere is broken into distinct plates which are 
floating on a ductile layer called asthenosphere (upper 
part of the mantle).
• Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid 
units.
• The oceanic plates contain mainly the Simatic crust and 
are relatively thinner, while the continental plates 
contain Sialic material and are relatively thicker.
• Lithospheric plates (tectonic plates) vary 
from minor plates to major 
plates, continental plates (Arabian plate) 
to oceanic plates (Pacific plate), sometimes 
a combination of both continental and oceanic 
plates (Indo-Australian plate).
• The movement of these crustal plates (due to 
convection currents in the mantle) causes the 
formation of various landforms and is the 
principal cause of all earth movements
Major tectonic plates
• Antarctica and the surrounding oceanic plate
• North American plate
• South American plate
• Pacific plate
• India-Australia-New Zealand plate
• Africa with the eastern Atlantic floor plate
• Eurasia and the adjacent oceanic plate