Earth's crust is made of tectonic plates from "summary" of A Short History of Nearly Everything: Special Illustrated Edition by Bill Bryson
The Earth's crust is not a solid, unchanging mass, but a jigsaw puzzle of gigantic plates that are in constant motion. These plates are like vast slabs of rock floating on a layer of molten rock beneath them. The movement of these plates is what causes earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the creation of mountain ranges. The theory of plate tectonics explains how these plates move and interact with each other. It is believed that the Earth's crust is divided into about a dozen major plates, along with a number of smaller ones. These plates are constantly shifting, either grinding against each other, pulling apart, or being pushed together. The boundaries between these plates are where most of the action happens. There are three main types of plate boundaries: divergent boundaries where plates move apart, convergent boundaries where plates move toward each other, and transform boundaries where plates slide past each other. At these boundaries, the movement of the plates can cause earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges. The movement of the plates is driven by the heat generated deep within the Earth. This heat causes convection currents in the molten rock beneath the crust, which in turn push the plates around. The process is slow, with plates moving at a rate of a few centimeters per year, but over millions of years, this movement has had a profound impact on the Earth's surface. Plate tectonics is a fundamental concept in geology and explains many of the Earth's geological features. It helps us understand why earthquakes and volcanoes occur in certain areas, why mountain ranges exist, and how continents have moved over time. By studying plate tectonics, scientists can gain insights into the Earth's history and predict future geological events.
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