Plates Tectonic

The earth's surface is broken into seven large and many small moving plates. These plates, each about 50 miles thick, move relative to one another an average of a few inches a year.

Three types of movement are recognized at the boundaries between plates: convergent, divergent, and transform fault. first, convergent boundaries, plates move toward each other and collide. Secondly, divergent boundaries, plates move away from each other. Finally, transforment - fault boundaries, plates move sideways or horizontally past each other.