Major Tectonic Plates

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

Front

Name the largest tectonic plate.

Back

Pacific Plate.

Front

What is the North American Plate?

Back

A tectonic plate covering parts of North America, the Atlantic Ocean, and parts of the Arctic.

Front

What is the South American Plate?

Back

A tectonic plate that includes the continent of South America and part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Front

What is the Eurasian Plate?

Back

A tectonic plate that covers Europe and Asia.

Front

What is the African Plate?

Back

A tectonic plate that includes the continent of Africa and parts of the Atlantic Ocean.

Front

What is the Australian Plate?

Back

A tectonic plate that includes the continent of Australia and surrounding oceanic crust.

Front

What is the Antarctic Plate?

Back

A tectonic plate that includes the continent of Antarctica and surrounding oceanic crust.

Front

What happens at tectonic plate boundaries?

Back

Tectonic plates interact, causing earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

The process where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle.