Tectonic plates typically move at an average rate of about 2 centimeters (cm) per year, which is roughly the same speed at which human fingernails grow. However, the rate can vary from as slow as around 1 mm (0.1 cm) per year for some plates, to as fast as 10 to 15 cm per year for the fastest moving plates like the Pacific Plate near some ridges. In summary:
- Average plate movement: ~2 cm per year
- Slowest: around 0.1 - 1 cm per year
- Fastest: up to 10-15 cm per year
So generally, a tectonic plate can be expected to move between 1 to 15 cm in one year, with about 2 cm being a typical average rate.
