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Tectonic Plates

The Earth's crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates. Tectonic plates can move because the rock in the mantle is only semi-solid and molten. There are 2 kinds of tectonic plates:

What is a continental plate?

What is a continental plate?

  • Continental plates are thicker, older and lighter, so they do not sink (subduct).
What is an oceanic plate?

What is an oceanic plate?

  • Oceanic plates are thinner, younger, and denser so they can sink (subduct) under another plate.
What is a plate margin or plate boundary?

What is a plate margin or plate boundary?

  • Plate boundaries and plate margins are the same thing.
  • They describe the location on Earth where 2 tectonic plates meet or sit next to each other.
Jump to other topics
1

The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1

Natural Hazards

1.2

Tectonic Hazards

1.3

Weather Hazards

1.4

Climate Change

2

The Living World

2.1

Ecosystems

2.2

Tropical Rainforests

2.3

Hot Deserts

2.4

Tundra & Polar Environments

3

Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1

The UK Physical Landscape

3.2

Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3

River Landscapes in the UK

3.4

Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4

Urban Issues & Challenges

5

The Changing Economic World

5.1

The Changing Economic World

5.2

Economic Development in the UK

6

The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1

Resource Management

6.2

Food

6.3

Water

6.4

Energy

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