tectonic plates
nounUK /tɛkˈtɒnɪk pleɪts/
US /tɛkˈtɑːnɪk pleɪts/
Big pieces of the Earth's outer shell that slowly move around.
Tectonic plates move very slowly and can cause earthquakes.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The large slabs of rock that make up Earth's surface and shift over time.
Scientists study tectonic plates to understand how mountains form.
3. Sections of the Earth's crust that fit together like puzzle pieces.
The tectonic plates fit together like a giant puzzle.
4. Moving rock plates under the ground that can cause the ground to shake.
When tectonic plates push together, the ground can shake.