In the context of science, plates refer to large, rigid pieces of the Earths lithosphere that move and interact with each other. The theory of plate tectonics, developed in the 20th century, revolutionized the understanding of Earth's dynamics and the formation of major landforms such as mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
- The Earth's lithosphere, which includes the crust and the uppermost mantle, is divided into several plates. There are 7 major plates and 8 minor plates, with the largest ones being the Antarctic, Eurasian, and North American plates.
- Plates can be classified into two types: oceanic and continental. Oceanic plates are thinner, ranging from 50 to 100 kilometers in thickness, while continental plates can reach up to 200 kilometers in thickness.
- The driving force behind plate tectonics is convection in the mantle. Hot material near the Earth's core rises, while colder mantle rock sinks, causing the plates to move.
- Plate boundaries are the sites where different plates interact. These boundaries can be the locations of mountain-building events, volcanoes, or the creation of valleys and rifts.
- The theory of plate tectonics is based on a broad synthesis of geologic and geophysical data and is now almost universally accepted, representing a true scientific revolution.
