What are the major tectonic plates and their impacts on?.

The Earth's crust is divided into several large tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath. These plates interact at their boundaries, causing geological activity such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation.

Key Facts

• There are seven major tectonic plates: Pacific, North American, Eurasian, African, South American, Antarctic, and Indo-Australian.
• The Pacific Plate is the largest, covering about 63 million square miles.
• Plate movements are typically measured in centimeters per year, influencing continental drift.
• The boundaries can be divergent, convergent, or transform, each with different geological implications.

Examples or Use Cases

• The Himalayas were formed by the collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate.
• The San Andreas Fault in California marks a transform boundary where the Pacific and North American plates slide past each other, leading to frequent earthquakes.

FAQs

• What causes tectonic plates to move? Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle caused by the heat from the Earth's core.
• How do tectonic plates affect climate? Over geological timescales, the movement of tectonic plates can alter ocean currents and atmospheric circulation, impacting climate.