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TECTONIC PLATES
The word tectonics is from the Greek word tektonikos, which means
“construction.” Tectonics is the study of the formation of features in Earth’s crust.
Scientists have identified about 15 major tectonic plates. While many plates are
bordered by major surface features, such as mountain ranges or deep trenches in
the oceans, the boundaries of the plates are not always easy to identify. The
familiar outlines of the continents and oceans do not always match the outlines
of plate boundaries. Some plate boundaries are located within continents far
from mountain ranges. Tectonic plates may contain both oceanic and continental crust.
Earthquakes
Scientists identify plate boundaries primarily by studying data from earthquakes. When tectonic plates
move, sudden shifts can occur along their boundaries. These sudden movements are called earthquakes.
Frequent earthquakes in a given zone are evidence that two or more plates may meet in that area.
Volcanoes
The locations of volcanoes can also help identify the locations of plate boundaries. Some
volcanoes form when plate motions generate magma that erupts on Earth’s surface. For
example, the Pacific Ring of Fire is a zone of active volcanoes that encircles the Pacific
Ocean. This zone is also one of Earth’s major earthquake zones. The characteristics of this
zone indicate that the Pacific Ocean is surrounded by plate boundaries.
Directions: after reading the above text, answer the following questions about tectonic
plates. Underline or highlight the text where you found the answers to the questions.
1.
How many major tectonic plates have been identified?
2.
What does the word tectonics mean?
3.
Tectonics is the study of:
4.
How are most tectonic plates identified – what features are found near the boundaries?
5.
How do earthquakes help scientists locate plate boundaries?
6.
How do volcanoes help identify locations of plate boundaries?
7.
What is the Ring of Fire?
8.
How do scientists identify locations of plate boundaries?