Plate Tectonics

Latest about plate tectonics

Kuril Trench subduction

Air Guns Give Glimpse Inside a Subduction Zone

By Crystal Gammon last updated

Seismic waves show what happens when one tectonic plate dives beneath another.

Geology
Iberia subduction zone

New Subduction Zone Forming Off Spain's Coast

By Becky Oskin last updated

Embryonic subduction zone is also site of killer earthquakes.

Geology
Diagram of plate tectonics showing subduction zone

What is a subduction zone?

By Michael Dhar published

A subduction zone is a collision between two of Earth's tectonic plates, where one plate sinks into the mantle underneath the other plate.

Geology
A big tsunami wave crashing on coastal houses

Can solar storms cause tsunamis?

By Elizabeth Rayne published

Solar storms can mess with Earth, but can they kick up a tsunami?

Astronomy
A volcano erupts in Hawaii near the water.

Where are most of Earth's volcanoes?

By Joe Phelan published

There are about 1,350 potentially active volcanoes on Earth. Where are most of these volcanoes located?

Volcanos
A red-gold colored zircon crystal

Oldest evidence of tectonic plates unearthed, sealed in ancient crystals

By Tia Ghose published

The oldest evidence of tectonic plates are sealed in ancient crystals

Geology
An aerial view of damage to Sukuiso, Japan, a week after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the area in March, 2011. Also this isn't likely to happen on the East Coast, it's not inconceivable.

Japan earthquake & tsunami of 2011: Facts and information

By Becky Oskin published

Facts and information about the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

Tsunami
Continental drift theory introduced the idea Earth was once a single supercontinent.

Continental Drift: The groundbreaking theory of moving continents

By Becky Oskin published

Continental drift was Alfred Wegener's theory proposing continents move position on the Earth's surface.

Geology
A new study has confirmed a longstanding theory that the Earth's crust was tilted on its side around 84 million years ago.

Earth tipped on its side (and back again) in 'cosmic yo-yo' 84 million years ago

By Harry Baker published

A new study has confirmed a longstanding theory that Earth's crust tilted to the side, and eventually back again, around 84 million years ago.

Geology
3D rendering of Earth showing Europe at night.

Earth has a 'pulse' of 27.5 million years

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Most major geological events in Earth's recent history have clustered in 27.5-million-year intervals — a pattern that scientists are now calling the "pulse of the Earth."

Geology
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