Answer:
The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's surface is broken into many pieces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The plates represent a hard shell protecting the mantle which is a more liquid and fluid layer of the Earth. When looking at the thickness of the plates they are thinner than the mantle. Although most of the plates are covered in water it is the fact that there are many pieces what explains the shifts in the surface's location and also the collision between plates what causes earthquakes.