Question: the plate tectonics theory

Answer: The plate tectonics theory suggested that Earth’s surface is divided into large plates of rigid rock. Each plate moves over Earth’s hot semi-plastic mantle.

Question: plate tectonics

Answer: The theory of plate tectonics states that Earth’s surface is made of rigid slabs of rock, or plates, that move with respect to each other.

Question: tectonic plates

Answer: Earth’s tectonic plates are large pieces of lithosphere. These lithospheric plates fit together like the pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Question: lithosphere

Answer: the cold and rigid outermost rock layer

Question: plate boundaries

Answer: Put two books side by side and imagine each book represents a tectonic plate. You can pull the books apart, push together, and slide the books past one another. Earth’s tectonic plates move in much the same way.