Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
taking into account the petrological differences
required by the higher pressures on the Earth.
We now know that plate tectonics, at least
therecyclingkind,isuniquetoEarth,perhaps
because of its size or water content. The thick-
ness and average temperature of the lithosphere
and the role of phase changes in basalt are impor-
tant.
Any theory of plate tectonics must explain why
the other terrestrial planets do not behave like Earth.
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