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The Earth's continents "ride" on its tectonic plates. The plates cover the whole surface of the Earth so that they are underneath both the oceans and the continents.

Every plate moves alongside its neighbouring plates, either by sliding underneath or by slipping sideways, so a good way to think of the Earth's tectonic plates is to realize that they they all fit together like a huge jigsaw puzzle in which all the pieces are continually sliding against or under one another.

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Q: How are continents and tectonic plates related?
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Related questions

When two plates carrying continents collide the continents buckle?

Tectonic plates.


Do tectonic plates play a part in continent?

continents are tectonic plates! so.... yes!


When two plates carrying the continents buckle?

Tectonic plates.


How do continents develop?

The movement of the tectonic plates


What are tectonic plates how were continents formed?

these are the plates under the land and they are spins round and when they meet and they form the continents


What are tectonic plates how were the continents formed?

these are the plates under the land and they are spins round and when they meet and they form the continents


What is the difference between Continental plates and Tectonic plates?

Continental plates are tectonic plates. They are tectonic plates upon which continents rest, and they move as do all tectonic plates. Basically, there is no difference, other than the fact that oceanic plates are another type of tectonic plate.


Why do the Earth's continents move?

because of tectonic plates


What do the tectonic plates look like?

they are the giant plates underneath all the continents


How does the movement of tectonic plates and continents relate?

When the plates drift apart through sea floor spreading, so do the continents


How do the tectonic plates moved the continents?

The continents are part of Earth's tectonic plate system, when the plates move the continents move with them. The plate movement is driven by slow mantle convection driven by the heat in Earth's core.


What made continents move?

The continents moved because of the tectonic plates of earth that they rest on.