Plate TectonicsKenneth Carrillo

&Vannessa Gonzales

Plates of the Earth make up the lithosphere.

A theory that explains the shift in plates and the direction in which they move.

Shift between 2cm to 10 cm a year

What are plate tectonics?

Help us understand the movement the Earth’s crust has made over many years.

The plates of the Earth include seven large pieces.

The African, South American, North American, Eurasian, Australian, Antarctic, and Pacific plates

There are also smaller plates that exist.

Plates of the Earth

The point at which two plates meet is called a plate boundary.

There are three different types of boundaries:

Convergent Plate Boundary Divergent Plate Boundary Transform Plate Boundary

Plate Boundaries

Divergent boundaries: plates move apart from each other.

Convergent boundaries: plates shift into each other.

Transform boundaries: plates move past each other laterally.

Plate Boundaries cont.

Plate tectonics shift the lithosphere in different directions.

Also earthquakes, eruptions of volcanoes, and tsunamis have taken place.

These dangerous disasters have killed thousands of people and animals.

Homes and belongings are also destroyed.

How does it affect life on Earth?

Knowledge scientists have of plate tectonics: Size Shape Distribution of continents, mountain ranges,

and ocean basins Moving Earth plates create volcanic

eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

Problem with the Plates

Plate tectonics are a natural process that cannot be prevented or stopped.

We can only try to be prepared for the disasters that may come along with moving plates.

GPS (Global Positioning System) can track the movement of Earth plates.

Continue scientific study and monitoring

Solutions

San Andreas Fault 1906 Earthquake 1883 Krakatau Volcanic Eruption

1976 Tangshan, China EarthquakeSan Andreas Fault 1906 Earthquake

Rockies in North America

Alps in Europe

Mountain Ranges built by plate collisions