A branch of geophysics studying the physical processes underlying tectonic deformation, including measurement or calculation of stress and strain fields on the Earth's surface and the rheologies of the crust, mantle, lithosphere and asthenosphere. It covers crustal movements and deformations from meters to thousands of kilometers, governing processes such as the destruction of continental and oceanic crust, mantle convection, continental drift and other effects of plate tectonics. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Central QuestionTectonophysics is a branch of geophysics specializing in the study of the physical processes underlying tectonic deformation, including the stress and strain fields of the Earth and the rheology of its crust, mantle, lithosphere and asthenosphere. 1 ScopeTectonophysics studies the physical processes that drive plate motion and deformation, applying physics and mechanics to the behavior of the lithosphere and mantle. 1 SignificanceTectonophysics models the forces behind earthquakes, mountain building and plate motion, linking geodetic and seismic observations to their physical causes. 1 Connections
Associated With
Tectonophysics supplies the physical mechanics behind plate tectonic processes such as continental drift and mantle convection.
Source Tectonophysics (Wikipedia)
Has Scientist
His synthesis of continental rifting, hotspots and mantle processes shaped the physical mechanics side of plate tectonics.
Source Kevin C. A. Burke (Wikipedia)
Includes
Source Ridge Push (Wikipedia)
Source Triple junction (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Tectonophysics (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead sectionQuote, Lead section
Tectonophysics, a branch of geophysics, is the study of the physical processes that underlie tectonic deformation.
Kevin C. A. Burke (Wikipedia)
Triple junction (Wikipedia)
Includes: Triple Junction, Lead sentenceQuote, Includes: Triple Junction, Lead sentence
A triple junction is the point where the boundaries of three tectonic plates meet.
Ridge Push (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Ridge Push, Lead sentenceQuote, Includes: Ridge Push, Lead sentence
Ridge push (also known as gravitational slides or sliding plate force) is a proposed driving force for plate motion in plate tectonics that occurs at mid-ocean ridges as the result of the rigid lithosphere sliding down the hot, raised asthenosphere below mid-ocean ridges.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.