Plate Tectonics

Plate tectonics is relatively new, put forth in the last 30 years or so — its forerunner was the now-discarded continental drift theory. The theory states that Earth's outer shell is made up of huge slabs of rock called plates that glide over the planet's inner layer, or mantle. As these plates shift, they sometimes collide with other plates, making for some interesting, and even deadly, results on Earth's surface, from erupting volcanoes, to earthquakes, to new mountain ranges. Here's a look at Live Science's news and features related to this constantly moving jigsaw puzzle.

Related Topics: Archaeology, Biodiversity, Earthquakes, Volcanoes

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A red-gold colored zircon crystal

Oldest evidence of tectonic plates unearthed, sealed in ancient crystals

By Tia Ghose published

The oldest evidence of tectonic plates are sealed in ancient crystals

This illustration shows an early Earth with plate tectonics.

Evidence of 'modern' plate tectonics dating to 2.5 billion years ago found in China

By Laura Geggel published

Earth scientists in China have found evidence of a subduction zone dating to 2.5 billion years ago.

Vector graphic of the land mass of the supercontinent Pangaea_Rainer Lesniewski via Getty Images

Pangaea: Facts about an ancient supercontinent

By Tia Ghose, Laura Geggel published

Reference Here's how Panagea formed and what it was like from about 320 million to 195 million years ago.

An aerial view of damage to Sukuiso, Japan, a week after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the area in March, 2011. Also this isn't likely to happen on the East Coast, it's not inconceivable.

Japan earthquake & tsunami of 2011: Facts and information

By Becky Oskin published

Facts and information about the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

Facts about Earth

50 interesting facts about Earth

By Stephanie Pappas, Robert Roy Britt, Ailsa Harvey published

Reference We've collected some of the most interesting and amazing facts about Earth

Continental drift theory introduced the idea Earth was once a single supercontinent.

Continental Drift: The groundbreaking theory of moving continents

By Becky Oskin published

Continental drift was Alfred Wegener's theory proposing continents move position on the Earth's surface.

Plate tectonics is the means through which mountains are formed. Image shows rippled gray mountains, mostly treeless, beneath a cloud-studded blue sky. The Baird Mountains in Alaska’s Kobuk Valley National Park formed when two tectonic plates along a convergent boundary collided, causing solid rock to buckle and fold.

What is plate tectonics?

By Tiffany Means published

Blame plate tectonics for Earth’s mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, and why its continents fit together like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle.

A microscopic view of a thin piece of polished rock from Jack hills. A gypsum plate on the microscope allowed scientists to see a rainbow spectrum of quartz. Rocks from Jack Hills are 99% quartz, and the remaining 1% includes precious zircons.

Plate tectonics are 3.6 billion years old, oldest minerals on Earth reveal

By Laura Geggel published

The hidden chemistry of ancient zircon crystals has revealed the age of Earth's tectonic plates.

The ocean from a fisheye point of view.

The Atlantic Ocean is widening. Here’s why.

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Sizzling-hot rocks are rising up and pushing on the plates on either side of the Atlantic.

True color satellite image of the Earth centred on Asia and Oceania

Giant tectonic plate under Indian Ocean is breaking in two

By Laura Geggel published

The India-Australia-Capricorn plate is breaking up at a rate of about 2 millimeters a year.

The volcanic complex was found beneath the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Italian coast.

Hidden World of Undersea Volcanoes and Lava Flows Discovered Off Italian Coast

By Stephanie Pappas published

Scientists have discovered a new volcanic complex near southwestern Italy caused by an unusual type of fault.

The Juan de Fuca tectonic plate runs along the western coast of the United States.

We Could Be Witnessing the Death of a Tectonic Plate, Says Earth Scientist

By Laura Geggel published

A gaping hole in a dying tectonic plate beneath the ocean along the West Coast of the United States may be wreaking havoc at Earth's surface, but not in a way most people might expect.

Lava from Hawaii volcano eruption.

A Tiny Magma Blob May Rewrite Earth's History of Plate Tectonics

By Tim Childers published

An International team of scientists finds evidence that Earth began recycling itself more than 3 billion years ago.

A subterranean schizomid is pictured.

Why These Strange, Reclusive Arachnids Fled Underground in Evolutionary Waves

By Rafi Letzter published

When Australia got too hot and dry, which killed off forests, these woodland creatures decided to live underground.

Here, the path to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, famous for being the location of Dragonstone in "Game of Thrones."

Scientists Create Tectonic Map of 'Game of Thrones' Continents

By Sabin Zahirovic, Jo Condon published

The breathtaking fictional landscapes of "Game of Thrones" had a tumultuous past that involved volcanic eruptions, mountain-building and entire continents splitting apart, scientists say.

Insight's seismometer on the surface of Mars.

NASA Just Detected the First Marsquake on the Red Planet

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

The InSight Lander has been listening for marsquakes since December.

Anjouan island, off eastern coast of Africa, is mostly made of dark volcanic rocks, like these cobbles on the shoreline of one of the island's beaches.

'Impossible' Rocks Found on Remote Volcanic Island

By Stephanie Pappas published

Geoscientists tracking down reports of curious, out-of-place rocks on Anjouan island have found a mountain-size mystery.

llsvps animation

Meet 'The Blobs': Two Continent-Size Mountains in Earth's Deep Mantle That Nobody Understands

By Brandon Specktor published

There's a continent-size mystery lurking near the heart of the Earth.

Around 320 million years ago, the supercontinent Pangea formed.

Earth Once Swallowed Its Own Superocean. Could It Happen Again?

By Stephanie Pappas published

An ancient supercontinent turned inside out as the Earth swallowed its own ocean some 700 million years ago, new research suggests.

andes

Andes Grew to Towering Heights in Two Explosive 'Growth Spurts'

By Laura Geggel published

As the now-iconic Andes Mountains rose skyward along the western coast of South America dozens of millions of years ago, violent volcanic activity rocked the continent, a new study finds.