Tectonic plates are large, rigid pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle and move slowly over the asthenosphere. These plates are responsible for shaping the Earth's surface through processes like earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Related terms
Convergent Faults: Convergent faults occur when two tectonic plates collide or come together. This collision can result in mountain formation or subduction zones where one plate is forced beneath another.
Divergent Faults: Divergent faults happen when two tectonic plates move away from each other. This movement creates gaps where magma rises to form new crust, leading to the creation of mid-ocean ridges or rift valleys.
Transform faults occur when two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. These boundaries often result in intense seismic activity, causing earthquakes along fault lines such as the San Andreas Fault in California.