1. Tectonic Plates
Earth's crust is always moving!

2. Introduction
Earth's crust is made of solid rock, but it is NOT one piece.
Millions of years ago, as Earth's hot crust cooled, it cracked into many large pieces. These pieces are called tectonic plates.

3. Introduction
The pieces fit together like puzzle pieces to cover Earth's surface.
The tectonic plates hold the Earth's continents AND the Earth's oceans.

4. Lithosphere and Asthenosphere
Which part of the earth are the plates on , the lithosphere or the asthenosphere?

5. 6 Major Tectonic Plates on Earth
Earth has many tectonic plates - like a giant jigsaw puzzle. The largest 6 plates are called the major plates.
Your job is to know the names and locations of the 6 major plates.
(It's easy! You will see how the names of the plates match up to the names of Earth's continents and oceans).
INSTRUCTIONS: Use the next slides and your paper maps to complete this activity.

6. Major Tectonic Plates
It’s easy! Each plate is named after the major land mass (continents), OR the major ocean that is found on that plate.

7. Major Tectonic Plates
But the plates are NOT just the continents (land). The plates include the continents AND the oceans that are on top of that plate.

8. North American Plate – holds the continent of North America AND the ocean water on top of the plate
South American Plate – holds the continent of South America AND the ocean water on top of the plate
African Plate – holds the continent of Africa AND the ocean water on top of the plate

9. Eurasian Plate – holds the continent with Europe and Asia, AND the ocean water on top of the plate
Indo-Australian Plate – holds the continent of Australia, the land mass of India, AND the ocean water on top of the plate
Pacific Plate – not much there but water! So the Pacific Plate holds the Pacific Ocean (and also Hawaii)

10. Label Your Map
You have two maps. Label one with the names of each of the 6 major plates. Leave the other one blank.

11. Label Your Map
In your notebook, glue the labeled map on the page. Then, tape or glue ONLY top edge of the blank map on top of the labeled map. This will help you to study and learn the names!