Question

Plate movement is measured by instruments mounted onto satellites that orbit the Earth. The plates move at a rate of

Answer 1

Tectonic plates are large segments of Earth's crust and mantle that move slowly due to motion in the Earth's mantle. These movements, averaging at a speed of 4 to 5 centimeters per year, are monitored via satellite instruments.

Step-by-step explanation:

Plate tectonics is a fundamental geological concept that explains how slow motions within the mantle of the Earth move large segments of the crust, causing the continents to 'drift', as well as form mountains and other large-scale geological features. Our planet's crust and upper mantle, which extend to a depth of about 60 kilometers, are divided into various tectonic plates that fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Through satellite instrumentation, we can measure these plate movements, which average at a speed of 4 to 5 centimeters per year, the same pace as hair growth.

Learn more about Plate Tectonics