The theory of plate tectonics has not always been accepted in the scientific community. The theory would come from Alfred Wegener and his theory would initially be known as continental drift. It would serve as the basis for the theory of plate tectonics. Evidence that continental plates were moving and not static began to accumulate in the early 20th century. Geologists around the world have presented circumstantial evidence of a connection between the continents. Some of this evidence included the very shape of America, Europe, and Africa. In particular, it seemed as if the continents fit together like a puzzle. Additionally, there was evidence that the fossils and rock strata on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean were similar. However, this evidence alone was not enough to solidify an explanation for such a grandiose claim. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original EssayOne of the best pieces of evidence that came to light to support this theory was seafloor spreading. Seafloor spreading occurs when magma is pushed upward from within the earth, underwater, at a particular ridge, a common example being the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This molten rock forming new underwater formations would be forced to either side as more molten rock continued to flow. In order to explain where this new material would have been if the Earth had been growing continuously, there must be something consuming the old earth. This is explained by seduction, in which one plate moves beneath another due to forces such as gravity and magnetism. This occurs in areas known as subduction zones and in particular geological features where actual subduction occurs between plates. Evidence that has been used to support this theory includes the dating of several protruding ridges from ridges like the Mid-Atlantic. It has been found that the further away horizontally from the center of the Atlantic, the older the underwater formations. This helped reinforce the idea that new material was moving up and out of the central ridge and pushing older material outward, which would then be subducted and recycled. The forces of plate tectonics have shaped California's landforms in several ways. The main tectonic plates that most influence California are the North American and Pacific plates. One plate that was subducted millions of years ago was the Farallon plate. When it was subducted beneath the North American Plate, it created a volcanic chain on the eastern edge of California. This would ultimately form the Sierra Nevada. The San Andreas fault system also played an important role in the development of California's landforms. This is where the Pacific and North American plates slide past each other like a strike-slip fault. Regions like the basin and mountain range contain remnants of volcanic activity in the form of sediments deposited in the central valley and more southern regions millions of years ago. This contributed to the fertility of California. The main factors that determine the extent of damage from an earthquake are: The magnitude of the earthquake. This is a reading on the Richter scale to determine the strength of the earthquake. Next, how far is a given area from the epicenter? or area located..