Plates

Tectonic plates are large, rigid sections of Earth's lithosphere that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle covering the planet's surface. They move very slowly over the semi-fluid layer beneath them called the asthenosphere. These movements cause geological activity such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation. There are about a dozen major plates, including the Pacific, North American, Eurasian, and African plates, among others. Their interactions at boundaries—whether they slide apart, collide, or grind past each other—shape the Earth's landscape and influence its geological processes.