4.1.2

Tectonic Plates

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Tectonic Plates

The Earth's crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates. Tectonic plates move according to the movements below in the mantle. There are 2 kinds of tectonic plates:

Illustrative background for Continental platesIllustrative background for Continental plates ?? "content

Continental plates

  • Continental plates are thicker, older and lighter, so they do not sink (subduct).
Illustrative background for Oceanic platesIllustrative background for Oceanic plates ?? "content

Oceanic plates

  • Oceanic plates are thinner, younger, and denser so they can sink (subduct) under another plate.
Illustrative background for Plate margin (boundary)Illustrative background for Plate margin (boundary) ?? "content

Plate margin (boundary)

  • Where 2 plates meet is called a plate margin or a plate boundary.

Jump to other topics

1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments

2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments

3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems

4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards

5Paper 1 - Climate Change

6Paper 2 - Changing Populations

7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities

8Paper 2 - Development

9Paper 2 - Changing Economies

10Paper 2 - Resource Provision

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