laattatektoniikan

Laattatektoniikka, also known as plate tectonics, is a scientific theory that describes the large-scale motions of Earth's lithosphere. The lithosphere is the rigid outer shell of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost mantle. It is divided into several large, rigid plates that move relative to one another. These plates are typically 100-200 kilometers thick and can be up to several thousand kilometers wide.

The theory of plate tectonics was developed in the 1960s and 1970s, building upon earlier ideas about continental drift. It explains the global distribution of geological phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. The movement of these plates is driven by convection currents in the mantle, which is the layer of the Earth between the crust and the core.

There are three types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent, and transform. Divergent boundaries occur where two plates move apart, allowing magma from the mantle to rise and form new crust. Convergent boundaries occur where two plates move towards each other, leading to the formation of mountains or the subduction of one plate beneath another. Transform boundaries occur where two plates slide past each other.

The theory of plate tectonics has revolutionized our understanding of the Earth's geological history and continues to be a fundamental concept in geology. It provides a framework for understanding the dynamic nature of our planet and the processes that shape its surface.