Plate Tectonics

Latest about plate tectonics

Debris of a destroyed building after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake jolted central Mexico on Sept. 19, 2017.

What Caused Mexico's 2 Major Earthquakes in 2 Weeks?

By Andrea Thompson published

It's possible the quakes happened independently of each other.

Earthquakes
In the 20th century, Mexico was hit by hundreds of earthquakes, including about 20 magnitude-6.5 or higher quakes that struck around Mexico City.

Were Mexico's Recent Earthquakes Related?

By Dan Robitzski published

Over the past two weeks, Mexico has experienced a lot of shaking.

Earthquakes
Granite that's 3.2 billion years old sits next to sedimentary rocks that date back 3 billion years at White Mfolozi Inlier, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

Plate Tectonics May Have Begun a Billion Years After Earth's Birth

By Stephanie Pappas published

The differentiation of oceanic and continental crust could date back 3.5 billion years.

Geology
The Juan Fernandez Chain (outlined by the white rectangle) on the Nazca Plate west of Chile was formed by a hot spot now at the western end of the chain as the Nazca moved east-northeast relative to the hotspot forming the chain that includes Alejandro Se

Volcanic Hotspots Are Relative Slowpokes, Study Finds

By Andrea Thompson published

Plumes of hot rock can help track tectonic plates.

Volcanos
A 7.1-magnitue earthquake struck near Mexico City on Sept. 19, 2017.

More than 200 Dead After 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Central Mexico

By Jeanna Bryner published

Earthquakes
map of zealandia

Scientists Journey to the World's 'Lost' 8th Continent

By Tia Ghose published

A new scientific expedition to the world's eighth continent, Zealandia, could reveal secrets about the submerged continents formation.

Planet Earth
everest's hillary step

Has Everest's Iconic Hillary Step Really Collapsed? Here's the Science

By Mike Searle published

The Hillary Step, a rocky outcrop just beneath the summit of Everest, has finally succumbed to gravity and partially collapsed.

Planet Earth
An artistic conception of the early Earth.

Odd New Theory Explains How Early Earth Got Its Oxygen

By Jesse Emspak published

One of the still-unsolved mysteries about Earth's history is how the planet became breathable. Now, scientists say the culprit may have been the giant rock slabs that make up Earth's outer shell.

Geology
Earth mantle

Earth's Mantle Is More Than 100 Degrees F Hotter Than Scientists Thought

By Laura Geggel published

How hot are Earth's scorching insides? A sweltering 2,570 degrees Fahrenheit (1,410 degrees Celsius), a new study finds.

Geology
tectonic-plates-usgs

Earth's Outer Shell: Was It Once Solid?

By Kacey Deamer published

Earth had a hard outer shell before its tectonic plates.

Geology
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