Outline of plate tectonics

Plate tectonics (from Latin tectonicus, from Ancient Greek τεκτονικός (tektonikós) 'pertaining to building') is the scientific theory that the Earth's lithosphere comprises a number of large tectonic plates, which have been slowly moving since 3–4 billion years ago.

The model builds on the concept of continental drift, an idea developed during the first decades of the 20th century.

The processes that result in plates and shape Earth's crust are called tectonics.

The relative importance and interaction of other proposed factors such as active convection, upwelling inside the mantle, and tidal drag of the Moon is still the subject of debate.

(Full article...) Tectonic plate interactions – Movements of Earth's lithosphere Back-arc basin – Submarine features associated with island arcs and subduction zones Continent – Large geographical region identified by convention Supercontinent – Landmass comprising more than one continental core, or craton Paleocontinent – A distinct area of continental crust that existed as a major landmass in the geological past Earthquake – Sudden movement of the Earth's crust Ocean – Body of salt water covering most of Earth List of ancient oceans – List of Earth's former oceans Superocean – Ocean that surrounds a supercontinent Orogeny – The formation of mountain ranges Rift – Geological linear zone where the lithosphere is being pulled apart Aulacogen – Failed arm of a triple junction, an inactive rift zone Subduction zone – A geological process at convergent tectonic plate boundaries where one plate moves under the other Suture (geology) – Joining together of separate terranes along a major fault zone Tectonic plate – Movement of Earth's lithospherePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets terrane – Fragment of crust formed on one tectonic plate and accreted to another Triple junction – Meeting point of three tectonic plates (to be reallocated)