endogenic processes

Geologic processes that shape the earth from beneath the earth.

endo – ancient Greek ἔνδον (éndon, “inner; internal”)

continental drift.
The early 20th century hypothesis that the continents move about on
Earth's surface.

Alfred L. Wegener put his idea and his evidence together in his book
The Origin of Continents and Oceans, first published in 1915.
continental drift.
continental drift.
continental drift.
continental drift. MANTLE CONVECTION
continental drift.
"The Wegener hypothesis has been so stimulating and has
such fundamental implications in geology as to merit
respectful and sympathetic interest from every geologist.
Some striking arguments in his favor have been advanced,
and it would be foolhardy indeed to reject any concept that
offers a possible key to the solution of profound problems in
the Earth's history.”

Chester R. Longwell,
"Some Thoughts on the Evidence for Continental Drift," 1944
continental drift. MAGNETIC POLARITY
continental drift. MAGNETIC POLARITY
On the same continent with rocks of different ages
continental drift. MAGNETIC POLARITY
continental drift & magnetic polarity
seafloor spreading
seafloor spreading
seafloor spreading
seafloor spreading
seafloor spreading
seafloor spreading. CONTINENTAL MARGIN
seafloor spreading. CONTINENTAL MARGIN
seafloor spreading. SEAFLOOR MAGNETISM
seafloor spreading. SEAFLOOR AGE
Rock Sediment Crust
Location Heat flow
ages thickness thickness
At ridge axis youngest none thinnest hottest
With distance becomes becomes becomes becomes
from axis older thicker thicker cooler
seafloor spreading.
tectonic plates.
tectonic plates. MOVEMENT
tectonic plates. BOUNDARIES plate boundaries:
• divergent: away
from each other
• convergent: towards
each other
• transform: slip past
each other
tectonic plates. THEORY
Plate tectonics theory explains why:
• Earth's geography has changed over
time and continues to change today
• some places are prone to
earthquakes while others are not
• certain regions may have deadly,
mild, or no volcanic eruptions

plate tectonic motions affect Earth’s rock cycle,

climate, and the evolution of life
tectonic plates. THEORY
Plate tectonics theory explains why:
• mountain ranges are located
where they are
• many ore deposits are located
where they are
• living and fossil species of plants
and animals are found where they
are
• some continental margins have a
lot of geological activity, and some
have none
plate tectonic motions affect Earth’s rock
cycle, climate, and the evolution of life
tectonic plates. DIVERGENCE in the OCEAN
tectonic plates. DIVERGENCE on LAND
tectonic plates. DIVERGENCE on LAND
tectonic plates. DIVERGENCE on LAND
tectonic plates. TRANSFORM
tectonic plates. CONVERGENCE

• oceanic crust to continental crust

• oceanic crust to oceanic crust
• continental crust to continental crust
convergence. ocean - continent
convergence. ocean - continent
convergence. ocean-ocean
convergence. continent-continent
plate tectonics. CONTINENTAL MARGIN
plate tectonics.
CONTINENTAL
MARGIN
plate tectonics. SUPERCONTINENT CYCLE
plate tectonics. SUPERCONTINENT CYCLE
plate tectonics. INTRAPLATE ACTIVITY