Plate Tectonics - The Engine That Drives the Rock Cycle Jim Miller Dept of Geological Sciences Precambrian Research Center University of MinnesotaDuluth Earth Materials Geological Processes SEDIMENTARY ROCKS Melting 2 MAGMA Compaction & Cementation Cooling & Crystallization VOLCANIC ROCKS Tectonic Uplift SEDIMENT Erosion, Transportation & Deposition INTRUSIVE ROCKS Weathering Melting 1 METAMOPHIC ROCKS SOIL Subduction Heat & Pressure Precipitation Rock Cycle Limestone Qtz Sandstone Graywacke Shale Quartzite Slate Marble Quartz + Clay+Lithics Clay+Lithics Basalt Rhyolite Greenstone Gabbro Granite Amphibolite Felsic Mafic Schist Migmatite Gneiss Overview of Plate Tectonics Jim Miller Plate Tectonic Theory The Earth’s outer shell (lithosphere) is composed of rigid plates that are moving relative to one another. Physical and Chemical Structure of the Earth Lithospheric Mantle Compositional Components of the Lithosphere Continental Crust – ~62% SiO2, low density rocks , “felsic” Oceanic Crust - ~ 48% SiO2, high density rocks , “mafic” Lithospheric Mantle - ~ 40% SiO2, very high density rocks , “ultramafic” Chemical Layers Physical Layers Plate Tectonics drives 2 Stages of Crust-making 1. Mantle partially melts to make ocean crust 2. Ocean crust melts to make continental crust What moves the Plates? Slab Pull - densification of subducted plate pulls the plate into the mantle Mantle Push - Upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle pushes the plates apart Ridge Slide – Thermal upwelling at ridges causes plates to separate by sliding downhill (by gravity) Problem - we are not sure how the mantle is structured. Types of Plate Boundaries Divergent Plate Boundaries Mid-ocean Ridges Where Stage 1 Crust is Made Youthful Oceanic Crust 200 100 0 Ma Basalt – Rock Type of the Oceanic Crust Remember: Melting the Mantle Makes Mafic Magma!! Always Continental Rifting The creation of new ocean basins Continental Rifting and The Break-up of Pangea Convergent Boundaries Making 2nd Stage Crust Ancient Continental Crust Convergent BoundariesWhere the Action Is!! Ocean - Ocean Earthquakes OceanContinent Volcanoes Continent - Continent Consequences of Convergence Explosive Volcanism Mt. St. Helens May 18, 1980 Consequences of Convergence Mountain Building and Rock Deformation Consequences of Convergence - Earthquakes 1326 Aftershocks OROGENESIS The Culmination of Convergence Transform Boundaries Connects other Boundaries San Francisco Earthquake April 18, 1906 Mag 7.8 Mantle Plumes (Hotspots) Creation of overthickened oceanic crust Famous Hotspots Yellowstone Hawaii Iceland Plate Tectonics - The Engine That Drives the Rock Cycle Use Illustrations as Rock Cycle Story Starters