Theory of Plate

Tectonics and
The Formation
of Continents
Plate Tectonics Theory –
states that the Earth’s
outermost layer is
fragmented on large and
small plates that are moving
on another while riding atop
a hotter and more mobile
material known as the
athenosphere.
Tectonic – is a term derived
from a Greek word tekton
which means “carpenter” or
“builder”.
Tectonic Plate have been
used by scientist to describe
the movement of the
lithosphere.
The Earth’s
crust and upper What is
mantle are Plate
broken into Tectonics?
sections called
Plates.
Plates move
around on
top of the
mantle like
rafts.
section of lithosphere that slowly
moves around the asthenosphere,
carrying pieces of continental and
oceanic crust.
Two Different Views of the
Interior of the Earth
The crust and part
of the upper W ha
Lith t is
mantle. os p
he r
e?
100 km thick.
Less dense
than the
material
below it so it
“floats”.
 What is
Asthenosphere?

The plastic layer

below the lithosphere.
The plates of the
lithosphere float on
the asthenosphere.
Two Types of Plates

Ocean Plates – plates

below the oceans.

Continental Plates –
plates below the
continents.
Convection Currents in the mantle move the
plates as the core heats the slowly-flowing
asthenosphere.
 Plate Boundaries
The edges of Earth’s plates meet at
plate boundaries. Extended deep into
the lithosphere.
 The 7 Continent
1. Asia
2. Africa
3. North America
4. South America
5. Antartica
6. Europe
7. Australia
A plate boundary where two plates move away
from each other.

A plate boundary where two plates move past

each other in opposite direction.

A plate boundary where two plates are colliding.

 Thank you for
watching!!!
See you soon. 