Earth Sciences & Geology - October 2007

I am doing some research to write a sci-fi story in a somewhat distant future and there is something I don't quite understand about plate tectonics.

I'm not sure exactly what fuels them. I know liquid water is needed, as well as internal heat that can be derived from the core itself or radiactive material. I've heard the atmosphere has some impact too. But what puzzles me more is size. Supposedly a planet that is too small cannot maintain tectonic activity for long. What are we talking about here, mass, volume or both? And going a bit further, is there some kind of estimation on the size a planet should be to maintain activity?

Thanks very much in advance to whoever answers.

2007-10-12 15:16:31 · 4 answers · asked by cactuar2k 3

2007-10-12 12:07:15 · 12 answers · asked by jordan_white69 3

2007-10-12 11:55:27 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-12 10:42:36 · 30 answers · asked by Shauntelle M 1

I mean maybe the human race along with everything else that can't breath underwater will die but the world will still be there and so will all the other animal creatures that survive under water will live on and so will the sea and the planet. I mean the only way the world can end is if it gets sucked into a black hole. I mean if an astorid hit it I'm sure plenty of creatures would survive too. I mean just look at the dinsors age. They died but some how we came out of it

2007-10-12 09:26:10 · 3 answers · asked by wee suzie 4

in the e.on advert is what my question is refering to.

2007-10-12 09:22:24 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

explain your answer

2007-10-12 09:16:54 · 1 answers · asked by Macgyver with Crosby 4

I have small pieces of broken antimony and I want suggestions as to how I could grind it into a fine powder .

2007-10-12 08:54:04 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-12 03:58:56 · 7 answers · asked by hemant 1

2007-10-12 00:04:14 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

What an excellent question...The real problem is too many people. 6 bill & counting...Is anyone else concerned about too many of us upsetting the balance and using up the limited resources this planet has?

2007-10-11 19:08:25 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous

At first when I looked at the statistic figures I was shocked; I still had 5 billion in mind!

I remember when I went to school they told as that the world population would maybe be 5 billion expected around 2007 to 2015!

Should we not worry about this more then tsunami’s volcano's ore even global warming!

Also if it comes to Population Information source from Asian Country's they probably still on the short side!

What will it be in ONLY the next 15 to 20 years? I don't like to imagine its more the frightening!
My prediction; Big problems if this will continue like this and Big conflicts are guarantied!

Go Here to view CIA Statistic:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/xx.html

2007-10-11 18:51:49 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-11 18:17:32 · 4 answers · asked by Allen P 1

Does anybody know why the reasons why some beaches have pink, white, and black sand and where you can see this.

2007-10-11 17:55:58 · 3 answers · asked by Ratchet 2

How did scientist confirm on the structure of the earth. Did they actually drill to the earth's core and get samples of it?

2007-10-11 17:30:43 · 12 answers · asked by mohan k 1

I know this is a lot to ask, but i am so stuck on these last 5. I did 95 of them and these are the last few. please i am in a rut here.

1. When studying the relationship between a crater's diameter and the speed of the asteroid when it impacts the surface, as the speed of the asteroid increases, the crater's diameter decreases. TRUE OR FALSE

2.The surface of the moon and Earth's surface have had the same amount of changes over time. TRUE OR FALSE

3.The gravity of Earth is six times that of the moon. TRUE OR FALSE

4.The difference between simple craters and complex craters is complex craters have a central peak or ring whereas simple craters do not have a central peak or ring. TRUE OR FALSE

5.Earth has about 14 times the cross sectional area of the moon, making it more likely to be hit by asteroids. TRUE OR FALSE

Again, thank you for anyone who can help me. i really appreciate it!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-11 17:01:41 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

A credible friend, who is on the academic team at my high school, was telling me that reason ocean make us feel calm is because we are high the ozone... This is the first I've heard of it and I can't find any info online. Does anyone have any real input to this? Not just answers like "yes." or "no." or "thats crazy". 10 points someone who knows what the heck they're talking about!

2007-10-11 16:30:24 · 6 answers · asked by cherrie_990 2

me and one of my friends are having a debate and she says there were humans around during the ice age and im pretty sure there werent....
or were there?

2007-10-11 14:32:28 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-11 14:24:58 · 19 answers · asked by Ekk R 1

I heard, and have belief that the Mayans (who in the past have made accurate predictions) have predicted the world coming to an end in 2012. Any thoughts...answers...?

2007-10-11 14:11:39 · 8 answers · asked by LOSTfann 2

Let's see... I'm gathering information to attempt writing a sci-fi story in a not-so-near, and most probably quite-distant future. I need some help with a few aspects of plate tectonics.

So, I understand plate tectonics are driven by the planet's internal heat (Part of it residual from original accretion and part derived from decay of radiactive material)

I also read somewhere that deep surface water is needed as a lubricant of sorts.

Now, I believe size is a constrain too. Small planets can't support active tectonics (I'm not sure about this and correct me if I'm wrong)

Now, if I am right on the statement above... Is there an estimate on how big is "big enough"? What do we need to make it work, mass, volume or both?

2007-10-11 13:58:24 · 2 answers · asked by cactuar2k 3

its ugly

2007-10-11 13:20:35 · 3 answers · asked by stuie 3

2007-10-11 12:53:25 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

explain in detail

2007-10-11 12:42:20 · 2 answers · asked by Macgyver with Crosby 4

2007-10-11 12:24:14 · 3 answers · asked by Anselmo III A 1

2007-10-11 12:20:05 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

If a meteorite is stony and has small rounded inclusions what does it suggest about the origin of the meteorite?
a) originated from the remains of a planet shield
b) originated from the remains or a plant core
c) originated from an ancient supernova event
d)originated from an undifferentiated planet

2007-10-11 11:34:13 · 2 answers · asked by maplelearfs 2

2007-10-11 11:32:46 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-11 11:12:11 · 3 answers · asked by derfla J 1

2007-10-11 11:10:54 · 5 answers · asked by derfla J 1