Earth's Shifting Tectonic Plates

Tectonic plates, the massive slabs of Earth’s lithosphere that help define our continents and ocean, are constantly on the move. Plate tectonics is driven by a variety of forces: dynamic movement in the mantle, dense oceanic crust interacting with the ductile asthenosphere, even the rotation of the planet.

Geologists studying the Earth use scientific observation and evidence to construct a picture of what the Earth looked like at different periods in the geologic past. Use this map gallery to better understand how plate tectonics created the ocean and continents we are familiar with today.

Term	Part of Speech	Definition	Encyclopedic Entry
asthenosphere	Noun	layer in Earth's mantle between the lithosphere (above) and the upper mantle (below).
continent	Noun	one of the seven main land masses on Earth.	Encyclopedic Entry: continent
dense	Adjective	having parts or molecules that are packed closely together.
ductile	Adjective	capable of withstanding a certain amount of force by changing form before fracturing or breaking.
geologic	Adjective	having to do with the physical formations of the Earth.
geologist	Noun	person who studies the physical formations of the Earth.
lithosphere	Noun	outer, solid portion of the Earth. Also called the geosphere.	Encyclopedic Entry: lithosphere
mantle	Noun	middle layer of the Earth, made of mostly solid rock.	Encyclopedic Entry: mantle
massive	Adjective	very large or heavy.
oceanic crust	Noun	thin layer of the Earth that sits beneath ocean basins.
plate tectonics	Noun	movement and interaction of the Earth's plates.
rotation	Noun	object's complete turn around its own axis.	Encyclopedic Entry: rotation
tectonic plate	Noun	massive slab of solid rock made up of Earth's lithosphere (crust and upper mantle). Also called lithospheric plate.

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Editor

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Producers

Sean P. O'Connor, BioBlitz Education Consultant
Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Last Updated

Nov. 9, 2016

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