Tectonic Plate Motions

Tectonic Plate Motions

Earth’s outer shell is made up of large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates move slowly over time, changing the planet's surface. Sometimes, they pull apart, push together, or slide past each other, creating mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Scientists study tectonic plate motions to und...

Earth’s outermost layer is the lithosphere, which includes the crust and the upper mantle. This rigid layer is broken into pieces called tectonic plates. But what causes these plates to move?

The answer lies below these plates in the asthenosphere, a partially molten, flowing layer of rock. This layer allows the tectonic plates to move.