plate tectonic theory vs tectonics

plate tectonic theory and tectonics both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
plate tectonic theory	Yes	No	No	No
tectonics	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, plate tectonic theory and tectonics are synonyms defined as:

plate tectonic theory and tectonics: the branch of geology studying the folding and faulting of the earth's crust

Other synonyms of plate tectonic theory include plate tectonics.

plate tectonic theory (noun)	tectonics (noun)
the branch of geology studying the folding and faulting of the earth's crust	the branch of geology studying the folding and faulting of the earth's crust
	the science of architecture