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13. The Plates

Expedition Menu

1. Introduction

2. Theory

3. Formation

4. Evidence

5. Earth's Interior

6. Heat Engine

7. Mid-ocean Ridge

8. On the Ridge

9. Seafloor Spreading

10. Magnetic Field

11. Magnetic History

12. Magnetic Patterns

13. The Plates

14. More on Plates

Here is a map of the major plates that make up the surface of the Earth.

These plates are formed by a strong, rigid surface layer of rocks between 80 and 300 kilometers-thick, called the lithosphere.

Think of the Earth as an egg, with a rigid, but cracked outer shell and an interior, which is composed of much weaker material -- the only difference with the egg is that the inner core of the earth is solid (iron) and that the outer core and portions of the mantle can flow by convection.

Let's take a closer look!

On your expedition worksheet, list nine of the plates (you choose which nine).  

Created By:

Don Reed
Dept. of Geology
San Jose State University

©Copyright 2008
Last Updated on 
Sept. 22, 2008