Back to Plate Tectonics

Table of Contents

1. Postulates
2. Plate Postulate
   1. A mosaic of rigid geologic plates covers the Earth’s surface, forming the Lithosphere.
3. Movement Postulate
   1. The plates move horizontally relative to each other on top of a thick layer of molten rock, the Asthenosphere.
4. Boundary Postulate
   1. Contiguous plates converge, diverge, or slide past one another.
      1. Where the Plates Meet
      2. Convergent Boundaries
      3. Divergent Boundary
      4. Transform Boundary

Postulates

• Plate Postulate
  • A mosaic of rigid geologic plates covers the Earth’s surface, forming the Lithosphere.
• Movement Postulate
  • The plates move horizontally relative to each other on top of a thick layer of molten rock, the Asthenosphere.
• Boundary Postulate
  • Contiguous plates converge, diverge, or slide past one another.

Plate Postulate

A mosaic of rigid geologic plates covers the Earth’s surface, forming the Lithosphere.

View Interactive NASA Animation of Plate Boundaries on a Rotating Globe

Movement Postulate

The plates move horizontally relative to each other on top of a thick layer of molten rock, the Asthenosphere.

Boundary Postulate

Contiguous plates converge, diverge, or slide past one another.