PLATE TECTONICS. CONTINENTAL
TECTONICS AND MOUNTAIN CHAINS
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this
unit you should be able to:
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1. examine the layered internal
structure of the Earth;
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2. explain the basic contributions
by pioneering scientists in the development of the theory of plate tectonics;
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3. discuss the evidences for sea
floor spreading and plate tectonics gathered by Hess and Vine and Matthews;
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4. elaborate on the different types
of faults and magmatism occurring at plate boundaries;
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5. explain the characteristics and
mechanisms of plate movement as well as the methods applied in their study;
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6. summarize the features along
rifting continents;
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7. describe the different ways in
which orogenesis may take place and its accompanying features;
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8. outline how continents grow by
accretion of exotic terranes;
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9. specify the kind of tectonic
structures expected in continental interiors and discuss their origin.
Outline