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The 1960s revealed a new and revolutionary idea in geological thought: that the continents drift with respect to one another. After having been dismissed for decades as absurd- the concept gradually became part of geologys basic principles. We now know that the Earths crust and upper mantle consist of a small number of rigid plates that move- and there are significant boundaries between pairs of plates- usually known as earthquake belts. Plate tectonics now explains much of the structure and phenomena we see today: how oceans form- widen- and disappear; why earthquakes and volcanoes are found in distinct zones which follow plate boundaries; how the great mountain ranges of the world were built. The impact of plate tectonics is studied closely as these processes continue: the Himalaya continues to grow- the Atlantic is widening- and new oceans are forming. In this Very Short Introduction Peter Molnar provides a succinct and authoritative account of the nature and mechanisms of plate tectonics and its impact on our understanding of Earth. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area.These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts- analysis- perspective- new ideas- and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable....