Generally, plate tectonics causes a change in the ocean currents and in turn generates more heat. When these tectonic plates shift, the creation of the volcanic eruptions increases the degree of carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere. This is what leads to a rise in the temperature levels globally. Higher concentrations of SO2 could mean the Earth is becoming warmer at four times the rate of CO2 concentration. On the contrary, if the move is insignificant, the temperature levels record a fall. A new dimension revealed by these studies also hints to the increased heat leading to a shift in the tectonic plates. Thus, we can conclude that plate tectonic movement and change in climate go hand in hand.
About 200 million years ago, the present seven continents were a single piece of land known as Pangea. With the change in the tectonic plates, this larger land drifted to form different smaller land areas. Climate is one of the systems adversely affected by these movements. For instance, a larger land area is likely to follow a strong seasonal pattern of climate. One fine example of the plate tectonics effects on climate is the conversion of the flourishing forests of the Andes Mountains into deserts, leading to increased temperature levels. Interestingly, a study on the Andes Mountains made by scientists at Harvard University suggests the movement of the tectonic plates reduced the amount of rain and further diminished the level of soil erosion. However, what disturbs the global climate cycle is the change in the location of water bodies that help in regulating heat and moisture on Earth.
