EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Tectonic plates, large slabs of rock that divide Earth’s crust, move constantly to reshape the Earth’s landscape. The system of ideas behind plate tectonics theory suggests that Earth’s outer shell (lithosphere) is divided into several plates that glide over the Earth’s rocky inner layer above the soft core (mantle).

Detailed explanation-2: -The movement of these tectonic plates is likely caused by convection currents in the molten rock in Earth’s mantle below the crust. Earthquakes and volcanoes are the short-term results of this tectonic movement. The long-term result of plate tectonics is the movement of entire continents over millions of years (Fig.

Detailed explanation-3: -Together, the crust and the upper part of the mantle form the lithosphere, Earth’s solid outer shell. This rocky, brittle layer is broken up into seven major and several minor tectonic plates (also known as lithospheric plates) that fit together like puzzle pieces.

Detailed explanation-4: -Divergent plate boundaries: the two plates move away from each other. Convergent plate boundaries: the two plates move towards each other. Transform plate boundaries: the two plates slip past each other.

Detailed explanation-5: -The heat from radioactive processes within the planet’s interior causes the plates to move, sometimes toward and sometimes away from each other. This movement is called plate motion, or tectonic shift.