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Articles on Tectonic plates

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An aerial view of the Mauna Loa volcano, which erupted on the island of Hawaii in December 2022. Andrew Richard Hara/Getty Images News

What causes volcanoes to erupt?

As they shape the Earth, volcanoes inspire and terrify humans.
Seismologists monitor the Earth’s activity, but they can’t predict a day, time and place for the next ‘big one.’ Christian Miranda/AFP via Getty Images

Seismologists can’t predict an impending earthquake, but longer-term forecasts and brief warnings after one starts are possible

The idea that scientists could warn a region that a big quake was coming at a certain time – with enough advance notice for large-scale preparation and evacuation – remains a dream, not a reality.
Salvatore Allegra / AP

How plate tectonics, mountains and deep-sea sediments have maintained Earth’s ‘Goldilocks’ climate

New modelling shows how tectonic plate movements, carbon-rich deep-sea sediment, and mountain weathering have regulated Earth’s climate.

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