What are tectonic plates?

Tectonic plates are defined as large pieces of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with one another. The lithosphere comprises the outer layer of the Earth, which includes the crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them and are responsible for various geological phenomena, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.

The movement of tectonic plates is driven by forces such as mantle convection, gravity, and slab pull, leading to interactions at their boundaries. These interactions can result in constructive processes, such as the creation of new crust at mid-ocean ridges, or destructive processes, such as subduction zones where one plate is forced under another, causing seismic activity.

Understanding tectonic plates is crucial in geology because their movements shape the Earth's surface and impact ecosystems and human activities. This knowledge explains the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes around the planet and provides insight into past geological events and potential future changes.