Lemeztelmélet

Lemeztelmélet, often translated as plate tectonics, is the scientific theory that describes the large-scale motion of Earth's lithosphere. This outermost shell of the planet is broken into numerous large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. The theory explains many geological phenomena, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain building, and the formation of ocean basins.

The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several major tectonic plates, such as the Pacific Plate, the North American Plate, and the Eurasian Plate, along with many smaller ones. These plates are constantly moving relative to each other due to convection currents within the Earth's mantle. Where plates interact, they can diverge, converge, or slide past one another.

Divergent boundaries occur when plates move apart, leading to the creation of new crust, often seen at mid-ocean ridges. Convergent boundaries are where plates collide. If two oceanic plates converge, one may subduct beneath the other, forming trenches and volcanic island arcs. When an oceanic plate meets a continental plate, the oceanic plate subducts, resulting in volcanic mountain ranges. When two continental plates collide, neither subducts significantly, leading to the formation of massive mountain ranges like the Himalayas. Transform boundaries are where plates slide horizontally past each other, a process that can cause significant earthquakes.

The concept of plate tectonics revolutionized geology, providing a unifying framework for understanding the dynamic nature of our planet. Its development in the mid-20th century synthesized evidence from various fields, including seafloor spreading and paleomagnetism.