In addition to the many ongoing health concerns the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico creates, another little item seems to be getting little attention; Tectonics.
Tectonics isn’t exactly a fast moving discipline, so to speak, in fact, it moves rather slow unless you’re timing it in geological terms or standing next to an active volcano. And if you are standing next to a volcano then you are standing on the edge of a tectonic plate. While you may not fall off the edge very soon, you will eventually get shaken about a bit because these tectonic plates move, or to be exact, float.
There are about 8 of these plates that float around on the Earth driven by the motion of molten materials in the mantle. (say that 3 times fast…) In simple terms, they drive together to form mountain ranges, spread apart to create chasms, or rub up against each other to be a general pain in the Earth’s butt. In all cases earthquakes happen because this movement overcomes the friction between the plate materials and a ‘snap’ occurs that relieves the stress. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by ruffled crow 
ruffled crow
