ESCI B.S2.O3.A2 Tectonic Plates

• Describe a lithospheric plate and identify the major plates of the Earth.

Tectonic Plates:

The lithosphere is the solid brittle part of the Earth, also known as the crust ("lith means "rocky"). The crust is divided into 15 major tectonic plates. Where plates meet, called plate boundaries, there are 3 types of interactions. The plates can push together, pull apart, or slide past each other. Complete this interactive and answer the questions below in the text box.

Dynamic Earth Interactive Links to an external site.

Your Assignment:  Answer the following questions:

1. What are the 3 types of plate motions?
2. What types of features do we find at each boundary type? (Example: Mid-ocean ridges are found at divergent plate boundaries)
3. There are two types of convergent boundaries. How are they different?
4. What is subduction?
5. Take the quiz at the end and report your score. If you get less than 70% correct we recommend taking it again until you understand the concepts.