tectonic plate

tectonic plate
GLOSSARY OF VOLCANIC TERMS
One of the large segments of the earth's lithosphere (crust and upper mantle, up to 250km thick) that comprise the earth's outer shell. At the present time, there are 16 major tectonic plates that "float" on top of the asthenosphere, the plastic layer in the earth's mantle.

Glossary of volcanic terms. - University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. . 2001.

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  • tectonic plate — noun (geology) One of several rigid plates forming the earth s crust, continually shifting slightly in relation one to another • • • Main Entry: ↑tectonic …   Useful english dictionary

  • tectonic plate — /tɛktɒnɪk ˈpleɪt/ (say tektonik playt) noun Geology a section of the earth s crust and uppermost part of the mantle, which moves in relation to the other plates; there are seven main plates and a number of minor plates and microplates; movement… …  

  • tectonic plate — noun any of several large pieces of the Earths lithosphere which participate in plate tectonics See Also: plate tectonics …   Wiktionary

  • List of tectonic plate interactions — See plate tectonics for a more complete discussion Tectonic plate interactions are of three different basic types: * Divergent boundaries are areas where plates move away from each other, forming either mid oceanic ridges or rift valleys. *… …   Wikipedia

  • Plate — may refer to: * Plate (dishware) * Plate (structures), a type of foundation * A flat piece of metal used in orthopedics to connect the two parts of a broken bone, such as a dynamic compression plate * Plate armor, body armor made of metal plates… …   Wikipedia

  • Plate tectonics — The tectonic plates of the world were mapped in the second half of the 20th century …   Wikipedia

  • Tectonic uplift — Kupe s Sail New Zealand Tectonic uplift is a geological process most often caused by plate tectonics which increases elevation. The opposite of uplift is subsidence, which results in a decrease in elevation. Uplift may be orogenic or isostatic …   Wikipedia

  • plate tectonics — /pleɪt tɛkˈtɒnɪks/ (say playt tek toniks) noun a theory concerning the movements of the earth s lithosphere that explains how tectonic plates ride on the moving asthenosphere; supporting the theory of continental drift and sea floor spreading.… …  

  • tectonic — adjective a) of or relating to construction or to architecture b) of, relating to, or caused by large scale movements of the Earths lithosphere See Also: plate tectonics, tectonic keratoplasty, tectonic plate, tectonics …   Wiktionary

  • plate tectonics — noun plural but singular in construction Date: 1969 1. a theory in geology: the lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of plates which float on and travel independently over the mantle and much of the earth s seismic activity… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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