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Geography Essay 1.docx - Geography Essay Plate Tectonic and...

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Geography EssayPlate Tectonic and LandformsThe Earth is full of so many beautiful landforms, such as, high mountain ranges,volcanoes, and rift valleys. But how are these geographic features created? Landformsare created by the Earth’s tectonic plates which are constantly moving. Depending onthe types of plates we are dealing with, we receive different landforms. The movementof these plates are caused by the inner structure of our Earth. The tectonic plates haveshifted so much since the beginning of the Earth’s history that we were once asupercontinent called Pangea.Looking at a world map we can see that the continents look like a jigsaw puzzle; theway South America’ East coast can algin with the West coast of Africa, and how Antarcticaand Australia edges look like a perfect fit.This is the outcome of the continental drift ofPangea. Looking at a world map we can see that the continents look like a jigsaw puzzle;the way South America’ East coast can algin with the West coast of Africa, and howAntarctica and Australia edges look like a perfect fit.This is the outcome of thecontinental drift of Pangea. Pangea was a continuous landmass consisting of our presentday seven continents, existing approximately 280 million years ago (United StatesGeological Survey, n.d.). The evidence that supports Pangea is found in the types of rocksand fossils found on the modern-day continents. There are three types of rocks geologistlook for, igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary; Each type of these rocks is formed indifferent ways. Igneous rocks are formed from magma once it starts to cool and harden, itforms crystalized or glassy looking rocks, such as the gemstones garnet and spinel (Kudo,2020). Sedimentary rocks are created from previously existing rocks that have been erodedby nature then the particles settle together losing moisture to form a new rock, with the
most common being limestone and sandstone (United States Geological Survey, n.d.).Metamorphic rocks are formed when preexisting rocks go through a chemical change underthe Earth’s surface due to the amount of heat and pressure experienced, here we would findstones such as, lapis lazuli and marble (United States Geological Survey, n.d.). Geologistscan determine continental drift happened because looking on both ends of the AtlanticOcean; we can fine the same type of rocks that also happen to be the same age as eachother. Fossils of prehistoric creatures found in the same age and type of rock on differentcontinents has also been used as evidence of continental drift. Fossils can be used asevidence because it is believed there was no way for these ancient creatures and plants to

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Term
Fall
Professor
MACEACHREN
Tags
Plate Tectonics, Mantle, Earth s tectonic plates, Pangea

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