Tectonics

Tectonics

:"This article discusses the geologic usage, for the philosophical or architectural usage see: Architectonics":"Or see plate tectonics".
[
plate tectonics (click on map for more details)] Tectonics, (from the Greek for "builder", tekton), is a field of study within geology concerned generally with the structures within the crust of the Earth (or other planets) and particularly with the forces and movements that have operated in a region to create these structures. Tectonics is concerned with the orogenies and tectonic development of cratons and tectonic terranes as well as the earthquake and volcanic belts which directly affect much of the global population. Tectonic studies are also important for understanding erosion patterns in geomorphology and as guides for the economic geologist searching for petroleum and metallic ores.

A subfield of tectonics that deals with tectonic phenomena in the geologically recent period is called neotectonics.

Tectonic studies have application to lunar and planetary studies, whether or not those bodies have active tectonic plate systems.

Since the 1960s, plate tectonics has become by far the dominant theory to explain the origin and forces responsible for the tectonic features of the continents and ocean basins.

There are three main types of tectonic regime
*Extensional tectonics
*Thrust (Contractional) tectonics
*Strike-slip tectonics

References

* Edward A. Keller (2001) "Active Tectonics: Earthquakes, Uplift, and Landscape" Prentice Hall; 2nd edition, ISBN 0-13-088230-5
* Stanley A. Schumm, Jean F. Dumont and John M. Holbrook (2002) "Active Tectonics and Alluvial Rivers", Cambridge University Press; Reprint edition, ISBN 0-521-89058-6
*cite book |author= B.A. van der Pluijm and S. Marshak|title=Earth Structure - An Introduction to Structural Geology and Tectonics. 2nd edition [http://globalchange.umich.edu/ben/ES/earthstructure.htm] |publisher=W.W. Norton |location=New York|year=2004|pages=656|isbn=0-393-92467-X |oclc= |doi=

ee also

* Geophysics
* Pacific Northwest Seismic Network
* Seismology
* Volcanology

External links

* [http://www.tectonic-forces.org The Origin and the Mechanics of the Forces Responsible for Tectonic Plate Movements]
* [http://www.scotese.com/ The Paleomap Project]


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  • Tectonics — Tec*ton ics, n. 1. The science, or the art, by which implements, vessels, dwellings, or other edifices, are constructed, both agreeably to the end for which they are designed, and in conformity with artistic sentiments and ideas. [1913 Webster] 2 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tectonics — (n.) 1899 in the geological sense, from TECTONIC (Cf. tectonic) (also see ICS (Cf. ics)); earlier it meant building or constructive arts in general (1850) …   Etymology dictionary

  • tectonics — [tek tän′iks] pl.n. [see TECTONIC] 1. the constructive arts in general; esp., the art of making things that have both beauty and usefulness 2. [with sing. v.] Geol. the study of the earth s crustal structure and the forces that produce changes in …   English World dictionary

  • tectonics — /tek ton iks/, n. (used with a sing. v.) 1. the science or art of assembling, shaping, or ornamenting materials in construction; the constructive arts in general. 2. See structural geology. [1625 35; see TECTONIC, ICS] * * * Scientific study of… …   Universalium

  • tectonics — [[t]tektɒ̱nɪks[/t]] see plate tectonics …   English dictionary

  • tectonics — n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) 1 Archit. the art and process of producing practical and aesthetically pleasing buildings. 2 Geol. the study of large scale structural features (cf. plate tectonics) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Tectonics zones of Pakistan — [ 2005 Kashmir earthquake occurred at the northern tip of the Indian plate.] Tectonics zones of Pakistan are the Eurasian Plate, Arabian Plate and Indian Plate which is part of Indo Australian Plate.External links*… …   Wikipedia

  • tectonics geology — tektonika statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Geologijos šaka, tirianti Žemės plutos ir viršutinės mantijos sandarą, judesius, deformaciją ir raidą, uolienų slūgsojimo formas, Žemės plutos judėjimo ryšį su magnetizmu.… …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • tectonics — noun plural but singular or plural in construction Date: 1899 1. geological structural features as a whole 2. a. a branch of geology concerned with the structure of the crust of a planet (as earth) or moon and especially with the formation of… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tectonics — noun The study of crustal plates and other large scale structural features of the Earth. See Also: tectonic …   Wiktionary

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