Tectonic Plates
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 4.1.2
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:
Continental plates
- Continental plates are thicker, older and lighter, so they do not sink (subduct).
Oceanic plates
- Oceanic plates are thinner, younger, and denser so they can sink (subduct) under another plate.
Plate margin (boundary)
- Where 2 plates meet is called a plate margin or a plate boundary.
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What is the Earth's crust broken into?
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What do we call the meeting point of 2 tectonic plates?