tectonic plate
nounUK /tɛkˈtɒnɪk pleɪt/
US /tɛkˈtɑːnɪk pleɪt/
A huge piece of the Earth's outer shell that slowly moves around.
The Pacific tectonic plate is moving under Japan.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A section of the lithosphere that shifts and causes earthquakes and mountains.
Scientists study each tectonic plate to predict where quakes may happen.
3. One of the large slabs that fit together like puzzle pieces to form Earth's surface.
The African tectonic plate is slowly pulling away from the Arabian plate.
4. A moving rock layer under the oceans and land.
When one tectonic plate slides under another, it can create a deep ocean trench.