The Plate Tectonics Theory is one of the most revolutionary ideas in the field of Earth Sciences — just like Newton’s laws in Physics or Darwin’s theory in Biology. This theory explains why earthquakes happen, how mountains are formed, why volcanoes erupt, and how continents have drifted over millions of years. 👉 This theory was…
In the 1950s, undersea mapping shattered the myth that ocean floors were flat and featureless. Instead, scientists discovered rugged landscapes with vast mountain chains and deep trenches. Key Observations from Seafloor Mapping: These discoveries set the stage for Harry Hess’ revolutionary theory of Seafloor Spreading in 1960. 🚀 What is Seafloor Spreading? Harry Hess proposed…
Arthur Holmes in 1928-29 proposed this theory to explain the origin of major relief features of the Earth’s surface, such as mountains, ocean basins, and continents. Holmes believed that the Earth’s interior was dynamic, and convection currents within the mantle were responsible for the movement of continents and landforms. Key Concepts of Holmes’ Hypothesis 1….
Continental Drift Theory of Taylor Let’s go back millions of years ago, to a time when the world as we know it didn’t exist. No seven continents. No Himalayas, Alps, or Andes. Just two massive landmasses—Laurasia in the north and Gondwanaland in the south—sitting near the poles like two giant puzzle pieces on a globe…
From seismic studies, we now know that Earth isn’t a uniform mass. It has three main layers: The Crust Think of Earth as a giant apple. The crust is like the apple’s skin—thin, yet incredibly important. It is the outermost solid layer where all life exists, the very stage upon which history unfolds. Two Faces…
Seismic waves are mechanical waves, meaning they need a medium—solid, liquid, or gas—to travel. Just like sound waves need air, seismic waves need the Earth’s interior or along it’s surface to move. When an earthquake occurs, energy is released from a specific point inside the Earth, called the focus (hypocenter). Right above this, on the…
Let’s embark on a journey deep into the Earth’s interior, peeling away its layers like an explorer venturing into the unknown depths of a vast, uncharted cave. Imagine yourself standing on solid ground, the surface of our planet. It feels stable, firm, and unyielding. But beneath your feet, an entirely different world exists—a dynamic, fiery…
Imagine holding a rock in your hand—it looks solid, unchanging. But in reality, it’s just one stage in a never-ending journey of transformation, much like how water changes between ice, liquid, and vapor. This continuous process of rocks changing from one form to another is called the Rock Cycle, and it’s been shaping the Earth…
Imagine you are walking through the Himalayas, standing on the rugged cliffs of Ladakh, feeling the crisp mountain air. Beneath your feet, the rocks are not just ordinary stones—they are witnesses to an extraordinary transformation that has taken place over millions of years. These are metamorphic rocks, the ‘phoenix’ of the geological world, which have…
Imagine you are standing on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, watching the water gently carry away bits of soil, sand, and pebbles. Now, trace their journey. These small particles—eroded from the Himalayas—will travel thousands of kilometers, getting deposited along the way in riverbeds, deltas, and eventually in the Bay of Bengal. Over…
