- tectonic plate
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any of several large pieces of the Earths lithosphere which participate in plate tectonicsSee Also: plate tectonics
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tectonic plate
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tectonic plate — noun (geology) One of several rigid plates forming the earth s crust, continually shifting slightly in relation one to another • • • Main Entry: ↑tectonic … Useful english dictionary
tectonic plate — /tɛktɒnɪk ˈpleɪt/ (say tektonik playt) noun Geology a section of the earth s crust and uppermost part of the mantle, which moves in relation to the other plates; there are seven main plates and a number of minor plates and microplates; movement… …
tectonic plate — GLOSSARY OF VOLCANIC TERMS One of the large segments of the earth s lithosphere (crust and upper mantle, up to 250km thick) that comprise the earth s outer shell. At the present time, there are 16 major tectonic plates that float on top of the… … Glossary of volcanic terms
List of tectonic plate interactions — See plate tectonics for a more complete discussion Tectonic plate interactions are of three different basic types: * Divergent boundaries are areas where plates move away from each other, forming either mid oceanic ridges or rift valleys. *… … Wikipedia
Plate — may refer to: * Plate (dishware) * Plate (structures), a type of foundation * A flat piece of metal used in orthopedics to connect the two parts of a broken bone, such as a dynamic compression plate * Plate armor, body armor made of metal plates… … Wikipedia
Plate tectonics — The tectonic plates of the world were mapped in the second half of the 20th century … Wikipedia
Tectonic uplift — Kupe s Sail New Zealand Tectonic uplift is a geological process most often caused by plate tectonics which increases elevation. The opposite of uplift is subsidence, which results in a decrease in elevation. Uplift may be orogenic or isostatic … Wikipedia
plate tectonics — /pleɪt tɛkˈtɒnɪks/ (say playt tek toniks) noun a theory concerning the movements of the earth s lithosphere that explains how tectonic plates ride on the moving asthenosphere; supporting the theory of continental drift and sea floor spreading.… …
tectonic — adjective a) of or relating to construction or to architecture b) of, relating to, or caused by large scale movements of the Earths lithosphere See Also: plate tectonics, tectonic keratoplasty, tectonic plate, tectonics … Wiktionary
plate tectonics — noun plural but singular in construction Date: 1969 1. a theory in geology: the lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of plates which float on and travel independently over the mantle and much of the earth s seismic activity… … New Collegiate Dictionary
