The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth’s outermost layer, the lithosphere, is divided into several large plates that move around on top of the underlying asthenosphere. There are currently seven major plates and several smaller ones. These plates are moved by convection currents in the mantle, which are driven by heat from the Earth’s core.

At plate boundaries, where two plates interact, a variety of geological phenomena can occur. Divergent boundaries are where two plates are moving apart, creating new crust and causing mid-ocean ridges to form. Convergent boundaries occur when two plates are moving towards each other, often causing one plate to be subducted beneath the other, creating oceanic trenches and volcanic activity. Transform boundaries are where two plates are sliding past each other, often creating large earthquakes.

The theory of plate tectonics explains a wide range of geological phenomena, from the creation of mountains and ocean basins to the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes. It also helps us understand the Earth’s history and how the continents have moved over time due to the movement of plates, a process known as continental drift.