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plate tectonics  

Definition

  • Plate tectonics embraces the concepts of seafloor spreading (the creation of new oceanic crust at midoceanic ridges) and continental drift (the gradual movement of Earth's continents over geologic timescales) to provide a theory for the large-scale movements of Earth's lithosphere. This theory, together with the advent of remote imagery from satellite and aerial platforms, has led to a greater understanding of the large-scale geomorphology of Earth's crust. [Source: Encyclopedia of Geography; Plate Tectonics]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/plate_tectonics

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