In this first chapter, the concept of plate tectonics is briefly defined along with related terms such as tectonics, geotectonics, geodynamics and mantle dynamics. The uniqueness of Earth’s active plate tectonics is emphasized through comparisons with our neighboring planets, where asteroid impacts and volcanism tend to be important. Faults, folds and evidence of volcanism are common on many planets, but they are not related to plate tectonic processes. The Earth’s continents and oceans, zones of volcanism, seismic activity and topographic expression are not matched with any other planet in our solar system, and the chapter emphasizes that the plate tectonic model is able to explain first-order tectonic features and processes on Earth, and how it influences topography, climate and the evolution of life.
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