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If plate tectonics stopped, how and when might it happen?

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Submitted by Jack Collins, Duarte, California, and answered by Kerry Sieh, Professor of Geology, Caltech. If all plate motion stopped, Earth would be a very different place. read more

In conclusion, life on Earth would most likely not be possible if the tectonic plates stopped drifting, because the Earth would be dead. Animals, plants, and humans alike would eventually die out because the climate change would kill most things, and there would be no more oceans, continents, or atmosphere. read more

One big problem with plate tectonics stopping is that plate motion is the mechanism by which Earth is cooling down and getting rid of its internal heat. If the plates stopped moving, the planet would have to find a new and efficient means to blow off this heat. It's not clear what that mechanism might be. read more

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