Hypothesis of E. C. Bullard is related with the origin of:

Question

Accepted Answer

E.C. Bullard's hypothesis is related to the origin of **Rift Valleys** because his work significantly contributed to the understanding of continental drift and plate tectonics, which are fundamental processes in the formation of rift valleys.

Here's why Option 3 is correct and the others are incorrect:

*   **Option 3: Rift Valley (Correct)** E.C. Bullard is renowned for his work on fitting the continents together, particularly the coastlines of South America and Africa. This "fit" provided strong evidence for continental drift, a key component of plate tectonics. Rift valleys are formed when the Earth's lithosphere stretches and thins due to tensional forces, often associated with divergent plate boundaries. Bullard's work on continental fit directly supports the idea that continents were once joined and have since drifted apart, a process that can lead to the formation of rift valleys as the crust is pulled apart. The East African Rift Valley is a prime example of a geological feature directly linked to the processes Bullard's research helped illuminate.

*   **Option 1: Nappe (Incorrect)** Nappes are large-scale, overturned folds or thrust sheets of rock that have been transported over considerable distances. While plate tectonics plays a role in the formation of nappes (through compressional forces at convergent plate boundaries), Bullard's specific contribution was more directly related to the *divergent* forces that create rift valleys, not the compressional forces that create nappes. His work on continental fit doesn't directly explain the formation of these large-scale overturned folds.

*   **Option 2: Fold (Incorrect)** Folds are bends in rock layers, typically formed by compressional forces. While plate tectonics is involved in folding, Bullard's hypothesis concerning continental fit and the subsequent development of plate tectonic theory is more directly linked to the *divergent* forces that create rift valleys. While folding can occur in various tectonic settings, Bullard's work doesn't primarily address the mechanisms or origins of folds themselves.

*   **Option 4: Earthquakes (Incorrect)** Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere, often associated with fault lines and plate boundaries. While plate tectonics, which Bullard's work supports, is a major driver of earthquakes, his specific hypothesis about continental fit doesn't directly explain the origin or distribution of earthquakes. Earthquakes are a consequence of plate movement, but Bullard's contribution was more focused on the evidence *for* that movement, particularly in the context of continental separation and the formation of features like rift valleys.