Final answer:
Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. They constantly move and interact with each other at their boundaries. Their movement causes various geological effects such as mountains, earthquakes, and ocean basins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tectonic Plates
Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. They can be thought of as giant puzzle pieces that make up the Earth's surface. These plates are constantly moving, albeit very slowly over millions of years, and they interact with each other at their boundaries.
There are several types of plate boundaries:
- Convergent boundaries: When two plates collide, causing uplift and the formation of mountains, or when one plate is forced beneath another, forming subduction zones.
- Divergent boundaries: When two plates move away from each other, forming rifts and mid-ocean ridges.
- Transform boundaries: When two plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes along the fault lines.
The movement of tectonic plates has significant geological effects, such as the formation of mountain ranges, earthquakes, and the creation of ocean basins.
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