What are the mechanisms and consequences of plate tectonics, including the formation of mountain ranges, earthquakes, and volcanic activity? Furthermore, how do paleogeographic reconstructions and climate modeling contribute to our understanding of Earth's geological history and future environmental changes?

Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth’s lithosphere is divided into rigid plates that move relative to each other, resulting in geological phenomena such as earthquakes, mountain building, and volcanic eruptions. Paleogeographic reconstructions and climate models use geological and paleontological evidence to reconstruct past environments and predict future climate change, informing our understanding of Earth’s dynamic processes and the impacts of human activities on the planet.