Tectonic Plates :
Tectonic Plates Tectonic plates are the large slabs of lithosphere that move around on the asthenosphere.
These plates move so slowly that you generally can’t feel them moving.
They only move centimeters a year.
Tracking tectonic plate movement :
Tracking tectonic plate movement The plate boundary is the area were two tectonic plates meet.
The plates do not move smoothly along the boundary, this causes pressure at the rocks edges.
When enough pressure builds up an earthquake will occur.
To measure the movement of these plates Scientist use GPS or Global Positioning Systems.
The GPS system will mark a position and over time the distance will change and they measure the amount of time it moved that little distance.
Pieces of the puzzle :
Pieces of the puzzle Tectonic plates all fit together like a piece of a puzzle.
The Changing Earth :
The Changing Earth The Earth was once just one big continent called a supercontinent.
This supercontinent was called Pangaea.
Scientist believe because of what is called a supercontinent cycle that millions of years in the future our continent today may move together to form a supercontinent again.