Plate Tectonics
Free Games & Activities
for Kids
Plate tectonics is a theory of global tectonics in which the lithosphere is divided into a number of crustal plates. The theory explains the structure of the Earth's crust and many of the associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of rigid plates that move slowly over the underlying mantle.
Earthquakes are caused by tectonic movement in the Earth's crust. The main cause is when tectonic plates slide over each other causing the earth to shake earthquake is really just the sudden release of stored energy inside the Earth's crust causing waves of energy to be released. Tectonic plates are underneath the ocean and the earths land masses. The plates usually move at about the same speed as your fingernails grow. Earthquakes usually occur where two plates running into each other or sliding past each other.
Plate Tectonics Games
Plates and Earthquakes module (interactive)
Plate Tectonics - what is that?
Earthquakes for Kids Interactives