List of tectonic plates
Global earthquake epicentres, 1963–1998
The 14 major plates plus the Scotia Plate
Plate tectonics map from NASA
This is a list of tectonic plates on Earth. Tectonic plates are pieces of the Earth's crust and uppermost mantle, together referred to as the lithosphere. The plates are around 100 km (60 miles) thick and consist of two principal types of material: oceanic crust (also called sima from silicon and magnesium) and continental crust (sial from silicon and aluminium). The composition of the two types of crust differs markedly, with basaltic rocks ("mafic") dominating oceanic crust, while continental crust consists principally of lower density granitic rocks ("felsic").
The surface of the Earth consists of 14 major plates and 38 minor ones, for a total of 52 plates.
Current plates
Major plates
Minor plates
Plates within orogens
Some models identify more minor plates within current orogens.
Ancient plates
References
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