Plate Tectonics: Theory
The theory of plate tectonics, hinted at by Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift and subsequently formulated and refined by other scientists, is one of the fundamental assumptions of the modern geophysical sciences. Plate tectonics provides a coherent explanation for - and is supported by - numerous global-scale phenomena, many of which are explored in the Plate Tectonics: Evidence section.
Students take a look at the theoretical underpinnings of plate tectonics in this portion of the curriculum. They first examine the plates themselves, noting patterns of movement and collision, and then delve into the processes, such as convection and gravity, that underlie plate tectonics.