Simple Description

The process of tectonic plates moving relative to each other

Further Detail

The Earth's crust is divided into a number of tectonic plates. These plates are separated by plate boundaries. The plates can move due to convection currents in the mantle, causing plates to move away from each other or towards each other. The convection currents are caused by heat from radioactive decay in the core. Earthquakes and volcanoes are common events at plate boundaries.

Related Words:

• Convection
• Mantle
• Tectonic plate

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