Plate Tectonics

plate tectonics interactive iconEarth is an ever-changing planet. Volcanoes and earthquakes continually reshape the continents and seafloor. Mountains rise, then are worn down.

In the 1960s, scientists presented a theory that explains Earth's dynamics, from the occurence of earthquakes to the building of the Mid-Ocean Ridge. Explore the theory »

 

 

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From Expedition 2:
Learn about what gravity is and why using a gravimeter in Alvin can help geophysicists learn about the ocean crust. Learn about seafloor gravity »

 

 

 

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From Expedition 2: Learn about the Earth’s magnetic field and why measuring it near the seafloor can help geophysicists understand how the ocean crust forms.
Learn about magnetics »

 

seamountsHotspots and Cool Volcanoes: The New England Seamounts
From Expedition 7: If you drained the water from the ocean basins, some of the most dramatic features you would see are groups or lines of underwater volcanoes called "seamounts", sometimes in clusters and other times stretching across the ocean basin for many miles.
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