Tectonic plate

• 1. What is the giant tectonic plate called?
• How many plates are there on Earth's surface?
• There are seven major plates on Earth's surface.
• Plate boundaries occur where two or more plates meet.
• What is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. Divergent boundaries within continents initially produce rifts, which eventually become rift valleys. Most active divergent plate boundaries occur between oceanic plates and exist as mid-oceanic ridges
• A transform boundary occurs when two plates slide past one another at right angles to their direction of movement. The San Andreas Fault in California is an example of this type of boundary.
• Continental/continental convergence causes neither plate to be destroyed so no new crust is formed. Instead, the collision leads to the formation of mountain ranges such as the Himalayas.
• Continental shelf


  A shallow area of the ocean floor that extends from the edge of a continent
• Continent


  A large landmass consisting of tectonic plates
• Rift


  A long, narrow depression between two higher areas of land, often formed by the movement of tectonic plates
• Rift valley


  A lowland area that forms as a result of the pulling apart of the lithosphere