Tectonic plates move at speeds typically ranging from about 1 to 10 centimeters (approximately 0.4 to 4 inches) per year. This speed is comparable to the growth rate of human fingernails. The exact speed varies depending on the specific plate and its location. For example, the Pacific Plate is the fastest major plate, moving at about 7 to 10 cm per year, while some plates like the Eurasian Plate move much more slowly, around 1 to 2 millimeters per year. These movements are slow but accumulate over millions of years, causing significant geological changes such as mountain formation, earthquakes, and continental drift.
