This figure shows the boundaries of the tectonic plates that cover the Earth's surface
Posted on 03/25/2010 8:33:34 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
A new model of the Earth, 20 years in the making, describes a dynamic three-dimensional puzzle of planetary proportions. Created by University of Wisconsin-Madison geophysicist Chuck DeMets and longtime collaborators Richard Gordon of Rice University and Donald Argus of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the model offers a precise description of the relative movements of 25 interlocking tectonic plates that account for 97 percent of the Earth's surface. "This model can be used to predict the movement of one plate relative to any other plate on the Earth's surface," explains DeMets. "Plate tectonics describes almost everything about how the Earth's surface moves and deforms, but it's remarkably simple in a mathematical way."
This information can help astrobiologists understand the intricate relationships between life on Earth and our planetary environment.
Tectonic plates are in constant motion, sliding past one another as they float atop the planet's molten interior. The collisions and shifts can create mountain ranges or cause earthquakes like the ones that struck Haiti and Chile this year.
"We live on a dynamic planet, and it's important to understand how the surface of the planet changes," Gordon says. "The frequency and magnitude of earthquakes depend upon how the tectonic plates move. Understanding how plates move can help us understand surface processes like mountain-building and subsurface processes like mantle convection."
(Excerpt) Read more at terradaily.com ...
This figure shows the boundaries of the tectonic plates that cover the Earth's surface
Cool!
But, does he have speed dial to Algore;
Or is his research independent of “denier” or “truther” or “warmer” BS?
This is a dumb question, but why is Al Gore’s name always written Algore?
His work is funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation. His work needs to be peer reviewed.
 |
||
| · join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic · subscribe · | ||
The article neglects to mention Maurice Strong. ;-)
And Jerry Lee Lewis...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.