Pecandemy

Earth and space

7.10(B)

How Moving Plates Shape Earth

Describe how plate tectonics causes ocean basin formation, earthquakes, mountain building, and volcanic eruptions, including supervolcanoes and hot spots.

Part of The student understands the causes and effects of plate tectonics

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Intro

Plates on the Move

Earth's outer layer is broken into huge pieces called plates. Plate tectonics is the idea that these plates slowly move, usually just a few centimeters a year, about as fast as your fingernails grow. This slow motion causes oceans, earthquakes, mountains, and volcanoes.

Clues That Earth Keeps Changing42 of 52How People Change Water in a Watershed