Introduction
Plate tectonics is important because it explains the reasons for the deformation of Earth’s surface. Plate Tectonics theory assumes that the Earth’s surface was broken into several small plates and the plates have collided with each other to form the continents. The theory explains that the oceans and continents also move in addition to the tectonic plates. It also explains the global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes. The plate tectonics explains the major features of the earth, such as the continents and oceans, the earthquakes and volcanoes and the mountains and valleys. The theory explained that the formation of the major features of the earth was due to the movement of the plates underneath the earth’s surface, which are referred to as tectonic plates.
There are three types of plate boundaries, namely, divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries and transform boundaries, which have different characteristics and geological processes. Divergent boundaries are formed when two tectonic plates move away from each other to form mid-ocean ridges. The divergent movement allows the magma under the earth’s crust to rise above the surface of the earth and thus results in volcanoes. Convergent boundaries are formed by the collision of two tectonic plates when they move towards each other, resulting in the formation of trenches in the oceanic crust. Transform boundaries are formed when two tectonic plates move past one another in an opposite direction to each other. Earthquakes are formed by the collision of transform plate boundaries.
An isthmus is a narrow part of the land that is surrounded by water on both the sides, connecting two larger bodies of land. The Isthmus of Panama is one of the most prominent events in the history of geology that has affected the earth in many ways. Twenty million years ago, there was a gap between North America and South America, which allowed the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean to flow freely . With the changes happening underneath the earth’s surface, the Pacific Plate and the Caribbean Plate collided with each other, which led the Pacific Plate to slide beneath the Caribbean Plate to form the Isthmus of Panama. The collision resulted in the formation of underwater volcanoes due to the excess pressure and heat that evolved during the process . The collision of the two tectonic plates pushed up the sea floor, leading to the rise in the sea level. The boundary, thus formed by the collision of the Pacific Plate and the Caribbean Plate is convergent boundary. Hence, the Panama resides on the convergent boundary.
The gap between the two continents of North America and South America was filled up by the massive amounts of sediments, such as sand and soil, which were washed away by the strong ocean currents for millions of years. The Isthmus of Panama had a great impact on the Earth’s climate and its environment. Since the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean were blocked by the Isthmus of Panama, it led to the re-routing of the ocean currents in both the oceans . The Caribbean waters that were warm were forced to flow towards the northeastern direction, resulting in the increase in the temperatures in the northwestern part of Europe. Thus, the Isthmus of Panama influenced the ocean, atmosphere, rainfall and climatic patterns of the Earth .
The fossils found in Panama prove that the creatures that had evolved for millions of years had migrated from North America to South America. The bones and jaws of the animals found during the excavation reveal that there were once animals that could swim or walk through the waters of the Ocean . The research and excavations carried out by the scientists proved that the animals that were native to North America such as the rhinoceros and elephants migrated towards the south and the animals that were native to South America such as armadillos moved towards the north. As the gap between the two continents of North America and South America filled in, more and more animals migrated between the continents resulting in a huge biodiversity . The scientists are concentrating their research along the coast of the Panama in the sea cliffs and headlands to find evidence on the age of the Isthmus of Panama. The fossils found by the researchers also reveal the characteristics of the Isthmus of Panama .
The excavations and findings of Panama reveal that the collision of plates that took place millions of years ago changed the climate of the Earth. Scientists are looking forward to understand the geological history and the evolution of the Panama, in order to analyze the biodiversity in the tropics of America . Several animals migrated from North America to South America and from South America to North America. Animals such as the deer, camels, and rodents moved from North America to South America, while the animals such as porcupines and armadillos migrated from South America to North America. The scientists are yet to find the reasons as to why the migration of animals from the north to south was much more successful than the migration from the south to the north .
Toxodon is an example of animals that successfully migrated from South America to North America. According to the researchers, the animal had a huge body similar to that of a rhinoceros and a large head similar to a hippopotamus . The paleontologists realized that Toxodon belonged to a unique extinct group of South American mammals . Initially the scientists believed that the toxodonts were never successful in migrating to North America. However, the fossils of the toxodonts were found in Texas, North America, which provided the evidence that the animal made a successful move to North America . Though the toxodonts reached North America successfully, they could not survive like other animals that migrated from South America to North America due to the difference in climate and environment.
The Caribbean became isolated from the Pacific Ocean completely about 3-4 million years due to the Isthmus of Panama, and has developed the coral reef. The coral reefs of the Caribbean are formed from a unique kind of coral, which exists in warm ocean water only. The coral reefs of the Caribbean were formed during the formation of the Isthmus of Panama and comprise about eight percent of the total coral reefs of the world. They provide shelter for thousands of species. These reefs provide protection from hurricanes that usually occur during the summers.
The terror birds are an example of species that moved successfully to North America from South America, but failed to survive on the continent. The paleontologists explain the presence of terror birds in North America as their clues were found in Florida and Texas. They were not able to survive due to the cool and temperate climate of the continent . The scientists who were able to analyze the fossil record of the terror birds came to a conclusion that they have survived successfully for more than 2.5 million years.
The formation of the Isthmus of Panama has transformed the climate of the world. The winds blowing from the east towards the west due to the formation of the Isthmus of Panama played a dominant role in changing the climate of Europe. This led to the deposition of fresh water in the Pacific Ocean through rainfall . Thus, the Pacific Ocean became fresher, while the Atlantic Ocean became saltier in nature. The ocean currents were re-routed with the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, and were forced to carry warm waters of the Caribbean towards the northwestern Europe, thus increasing the temperature of the continent . The Isthmus of Panama also had a great influence on the ocean circulation.
Island arc formation
During the collision of the plates, a plate sinking into a trench begins to descend to form a continuous series of earthquakes. The colliding plate starts to heat and melt magma under the earth’s surface. The molten magma rises toward the surface of the earth from beneath to form an edge on the plate, forming an island arc.
Conclusion
The researchers were successful in proving a new theory to reveal the formation of the tectonic plates. There are three plate boundaries, namely, divergent, convergent and transform boundaries, which are distinguished on the basis of their characteristics. An Isthmus is a narrow part of the land that is surrounded by water on both the sides, which connects two larger bodies of land. The Isthmus of Panama is a result of a convergent collision that took place between the Pacific Plate and the Caribbean Plate. It led to the change in the climate of the northwestern part of Europe as the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean were forced to move towards the northwestern direction. The fossil records of Panama reveal that the species successfully migrated from one continent to another. In the process of migration, a few species became extinct as they were not able to adjust to the climate of the continent to which they have migrated. The toxodents and terror birds are good examples of animals that became extinct due to the process of migration.
The article “Toxodonts Traveled North” is more interesting as it explains the facts about the extinct and endangered species. The article reveals great facts about the species of toxodents, their origin, migration and survival. The article also makes it clear as to how the species successfully migrated to a different continent and how they became extinct. It also provides the evidence about the existence of the toxodents in North America. This concludes the term paper.
Works Cited
Earth Observatory. 31 December 2003. 21 June 2014 <http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=4073>.
Falcon-Lang, Howard. Panama Canal fossils reveal ancient collision of worlds. 30 September 2010. 21 June 2014 <http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-11415945>.
Switek, Brian. Toxodonts Traveled North. 14 January 2013. 21 June 2014 <: http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/14/toxodonts-traveled-north/>.
