plate tectonicsˌplate tecˈtonics noun [uncountable] technical 
Examples
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
word sets- Any plate tectonics model of the Andes must in fact account for the uplift essentially in terms of vertical tectonics.
- For once the theory of plate tectonics took shape, a series of implications for the deep earth quickly tumbled into place.
- In continental plate tectonics what seems static, the surface of the earth, is in reality in constant flux.
- Lured by the excitement of plate tectonics, some felt that earth science would be a practical way to apply their knowledge.
- Stewart, Hagstrom & Small produced hill models of the major clusters of papers in plate tectonics using author co-citation methods.
- Such was the excitement in the field as the new theory of plate tectonics was taking shape.
- The organic response to the changes in the physical environment induced by plate tectonics can be considered under three headings.
- Yet with the advent of plate tectonics, this model had to evolve.
WORD SETS► Geology
the study of the forming and movement of the large sheets of rock that form the surface of the Earthagglomerate, nounalabaster, nounanthracite, nounasbestos, nounatoll, nounbasalt, nounbasin, nounbauxite, nounbed, nounbedrock, nounberyl, nounbluff, nouncanyon, nouncape, nouncarboniferous, adjectivechalk, nounchalky, adjectivechasm, nounclay, nouncliff, nouncoal, nouncoastal, adjectivecoastline, nounconglomerate, nouncontinental drift, nouncontinental shelf, nouncore, nouncove, nouncrag, nouncrater, nouncreek, nounCretaceous, adjectivecrevasse, nouncrust, nouncrystal, nouncrystalline, adjectivecrystallize, verbdelta, noundeposit, noundeposition, noundune, noundust bowl, nounearthquake, nounelevation, nounemery, nounepicentre, nounepoch, nounera, nounerode, verberosion, nounerupt, verbescarpment, nounestuary, nounextinct, adjectivefault, nounfeeder, nounfeldspar, nounfiord, nounfjord, nounflint, nounflood plain, nounfluvial, adjectivefold, nounfool's gold, nounfossil, nounfossilize, verbfriable, adjectivegeology, noungeyser, nounglaciation, nounglacier, nounGondwanaland, granite, noungrassland, noungroundwater, noungulf, noungully, nounheadland, nounhinterland, nounhot spring, nounigneous, adjectiveimpervious, adjectiveinactive, adjectiveinlet, nounisthmus, nounjasper, nounjet, nounkaolin, nounknoll, nounlagoon, nounlake, nounlandlocked, adjectivelandslide, nounlandslip, nounlava, nounleach, verblevee, nounlime, nounlimestone, nounloam, nounlowlands, nounmagma, nounmarble, nounmarsh, nounmarshland, nounmatrix, nounmetamorphic, adjectivemica, nounmineral, nounmineralogy, nounmining, nounmoraine, nounmorass, nounmountain, nounmountainside, nounmountaintop, nounmudslide, nounnugget, nounoasis, nounoilfield, nounore, nounoutcrop, nounpalaeontology, nounPalaeozoic, adjectivePangaea, peninsula, nounpermafrost, nounpetroleum, nounpillar, nounpinnacle, nounplate, nounplate tectonics, nounporous, adjectivepothole, nounprairie, nounprecipice, nounpromontory, nounpumice, nounpyrites, nounquartz, nounravine, nounreservoir, nounridge, nounrift, nounrift valley, nounriver, nounrock, nounrock salt, nounsand, nounsand bar, nounsandstone, nounsapphire, nounscarp, nounschist, nounscree, nounseam, nounsediment, nounsedimentary, adjectivesedimentation, nounseismic, adjectiveseismograph, nounseismology, nounsettlement, nounshale, nounshelf, nounshingle, nounsilica, nounsilicate, nounsilt, nounslate, nounstalactite, nounstalagmite, nounstone, nounstrait, nounstrata, stratified, adjectivestratum, nounsubsoil, nounsubstratum, nounsummit, nounterrain, nounthermal, adjectivetopaz, nountopsoil, nountor, nountremor, nountributary, nountrilobite, nountsunami, nountundra, nounturquoise, nounvalley, nounvein, nounvolcanic, adjectivevolcano, nounwatercourse, nounwaterfall, nounwater table, noun