Plate tectonics From Hypothesis to Theory (5) The Theory of Plate Tectonics was born in 1960. Plate tectonics is the process by which Earth's hot interior loses heat We can measure the slow drift of plates worldwide using satellite navigation systems. The basic premises of plate theory are secure because they can be tested against a wide variety of observations.Plate Tectonics: From Hypothesis to Theory (5) ◼ The Theory of Plate Tectonics was born in 1960. ◼ Plate tectonics is the process by which Earth’s hot interior loses heat. ◼ We can measure the slow drift of plates worldwide using satellite navigation systems. ◼ The basic premises of plate theory are secure because they can be tested against a wide variety of observations