Question

Where are shell beds found and how do they prove plate tectonics?

Answer 1

Shell beds are found in sedimentary rock layers, typically in coastal regions or shallow marine environments. They are composed of accumulated shells and other calcium carbonate materials deposited by marine organisms over time.

Shell beds provide evidence for plate tectonics through the process of seafloor spreading. When tectonic plates move apart at mid-ocean ridges, new crust is formed and sediments, including shell beds, accumulate on the seafloor. These sediments are eventually buried and compressed into sedimentary rock layers.

By studying the distribution and composition of shell beds in different regions, geologists can track the movement of tectonic plates over time. This helps to support the theory of plate tectonics, as it demonstrates the dynamic processes of crustal movement and oceanic spreading that have shaped the Earth's surface over millions of years.