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Earth Science8 min read

Plate Tectonics: How Earth's Surface Moves

The theory that explains earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building.

Last updated July 9, 2026

In this guide

  1. 1. The lithosphere
  2. 2. Plate boundaries
  3. 3. Consequences

1.The lithosphere

Earth's rigid outer shell is broken into large plates that float on the softer asthenosphere below.

2.Plate boundaries

Divergent boundaries create new crust, convergent boundaries destroy or crumple it, transform boundaries slide past each other.

3.Consequences

Boundaries produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain ranges and ocean trenches.