Why Do Plate Tectonics Exist

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The Earth’s crust has several moving pieces. They are composed of a variety of igneous metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The tectonic plates are always colliding or pulling apart, creating mountains. Earthquakes and volcanoes occur at the edge of these tectonic plates because of the impact of the plate movements are greatest there. What would be interesting is what if plate tectonics never existed? What would be the social, economic, climatic impact of living without plate tectonics? Without tectonic forces that push and pull apart our lives would be different from how we know it. Humans would be much safer. The average number of people affected is about 218 million people by natural disasters from tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Far less human deaths and less destruction as a whole if we didn’t have plate tectonics. Countries would save on the economic losses from very huge earthquakes. Governments typically have to spend large amounts of money to rebuild homes, and reestablish the damaged infrastructure. …show more content…

Pangaea wouldn’t have separated without the plate tectonics moving and shifting. Life as we known it would be less diverse and evolution wouldn’t have such a great role as it has. One example is when Madagascar broke off from Africa about 160 million years ago. Most of the animals found on that island are not found anywhere else on the planet. The idea of having a modern day Pangaea would mean that the interior of the supercontinent would be dry and hot and the out skirts of Pangaea would have moisture-bearing clouds. One example would be that a larger area of land is likely to follow a stronger seasonal pattern of climate. Without mountains there would be a more uniform distribution of rainfall throughout the whole world. Currently, when plate tectonics shift they cause the earth to get

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