Tectonic Plate
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A tectonic plate is a large piece of the Earth's crust floating on top of the mantle.
About Tectonic Plates
- The Crust is split into several tectonic plates.
- Tectonic plates move around separately and and when they rub against each other this causes Earthquakes.
- The tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle.
- If one tectonic plate moves on top of another the tectonic plate underneath starts to melt and magma rises up to make Volcanoes.
A diagram showing the different tectonic plates that make the Earths Crust. |
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A tectonic plate is a large piece of the Earth's crust floating on top of the mantle.
About Tectonic Plates
- The Crust is split into several tectonic plates.
- Tectonic plates move around separately and and when they rub against each other this causes Earthquakes.
- The tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle.
- If one tectonic plate moves on top of another the tectonic plate underneath starts to melt and magma rises up to make Volcanoes.
A diagram showing the different tectonic plates that make the Earths Crust. |