IGCSE Marine science 1. 2 Tectonic Plates

Section 1,2: Plate Tectonics:

index can be found here

The syllabus states:

Candidates should be able to: 

1 explain that the Earth’s crust is made up of a number of tectonic plates

2 outline the theory that tectonic plates float on the mantle, and move as a result of convection currents

3 outline how the present-day continents and oceans are the result of the break-up of supercontinents and the movement of tectonic plates over hundreds of millions of years

4 describe convergent, divergent and transform plate boundaries

5 explain how movement of plates at different types of plate boundary can give rise to earthquakes and volcanoes

6 describe how a tsunami can be formed 

7 outline the effects of tsunamis on marine ecosystems and human coastal communities

The theory of plate Techtonics are important for understanding the Marine enviroment.

The Theory is not old, it was relly first accepted in the 60'ties, but it helps explain both earthquakes, volcanoes and the formation of the ocean floor.

The key words can be found here:

This is a video for the AS syllabus where I go into more detail:

As a student it's important to remember that.

1) The convection currents of the mantle moves the techtonic plates around, and this have formed how the landmasses and oceans today look.

2) The mid ocean ridge in the Atlantic is formed where we have a Divergent plate boundary. The hot magma that escapes have formed Iceland.

3) The ring of fire in the Pacific (The Pacific rim) is volcanoes active around a Convergent boundary

4) Ocean trenches are formed at convergent boundaries, as the oceanic crust is pushed down in the subduction Zone.

5) Tsunamis are caused by massive movement of water, usually by displacement caused by underwater earthquakes or landslides.

6) At Transform plate boundaries, we often see earthquakes.

This video from Crash course is great at explaining what the theory means.

Earth Rocks! also have this nice video that goes into great detail: