What are Tectonic Plates?

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere, which is the rigid outer layer of the Earth. These plates are made up of the crust and the upper part of the mantle.

Types of Plate Boundaries

There are three main types of plate boundaries:

1. Divergent Boundaries: At these boundaries, tectonic plates move away from each other. This movement can create rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges.
2. Convergent Boundaries: At these boundaries, tectonic plates move towards each other. This can result in subduction zones, where one plate is forced beneath another, and can also lead to the formation of mountain ranges.
3. Transform Boundaries: At these boundaries, tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This movement can cause earthquakes along the fault lines.

Effects of Tectonic Plate Movement

The movement of tectonic plates can result in various geological phenomena:

• Earthquakes
• Volcanic eruptions
• Formation of mountain ranges
• Creation of ocean basins

Plate Tectonics Theory

The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement of the Earth's lithosphere. It states that the Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, and the movement is driven by processes occurring in the Earth's interior.