plate tectonics

noun

plural in form but singular in construction
1
: a theory in geology: the lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of plates which float on and travel independently over the mantle and much of the earth's seismic activity occurs at the boundaries of these plates
2
: the process and dynamics of tectonic plate movement
also : a similar process on a body other than earth compare continental drift
plate-tectonic adjective

Examples of plate tectonics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Without lubrication, the plate tectonics that pull carbon and other greenhouses gases below the crust will grind to a halt. Popular Mechanics, 25 Jan. 2023 Rainforest, an interactive, immersive, walk-through exhibit that depicts the sights, sounds and life within a Costa Rican rainforest The Third Planet, a series of exhibits that explore how plate tectonics have shaped the Earth. Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024 Over the history of plate tectonics on Earth, a vast amount of oceanic crust has been recycled back into the mantle through subduction while the continents have been able to (mostly) resist this because of their thickness and buoyancy. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024 Understanding the finer details could shed light on the early days of Earth itself, before plate tectonics kicked in on our planet, says Smrekar. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 Besides atmospheric properties, these include (but are not limited to) the orbit of a planet, plate tectonics, magnetic fields, and how it is affected by its star. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2024 Yet even that effort revealed a wealth of information about our planet, including the fact that hiding under seafloor sediments were relatively young volcanic rocks — a find that would later serve as a key piece of evidence in the case for plate tectonics. Quanta Magazine, 4 Jan. 2024 Adding to its utility, radioactive elements in the core could improve understandings of how hot the mantle actually is and clarify the theory that convection currents could underpin plate tectonics. Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023 Scientists who use computer models to reconstruct this early environment tend to think plate tectonics began three billion years ago or less, because simulations struggle to show how the process could have started before that. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 20 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plate tectonics.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plate tectonics was in 1969

Dictionary Entries Near plate tectonics

Cite this Entry

“Plate tectonics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plate%20tectonics. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

plate tectonics

noun
1
: a theory in geology: the lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of moving plates whose movements cause seismic activity (as earthquakes)
2
: the process of plate movement
plate-tectonic adjective

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