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The plates have different shapes, and they all fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. They are like puzzle pieces because many years ago, they used to be joined and then they parted.

On the other hand, unlike puzzle pieces, some plates are being pushed underneath other plates (usually oceanic under continental), and new crust is being formed at spreading rifts.

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Florine Wiza

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2y ago
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12y ago

when put together they all turn out to be one big piece of the puzzle. All are different shapes and can be complicated to put together like some jigsaw puzzles.

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Q: Why are tectonic plates like the pieces of jigsaw puzzle?
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Related questions

Earth surface is often described as a giant jigsaw puzzle. What are the pieces of the puzzle?

Earth's tectonic plates.


Earth's surface is often described as a giant jigsaw puzzle What are the pieces of the puzzle?

Earth's tectonic plates.


Why are tectonic plates like the piece of a jigsaw puzzle?

The plates have different shapes, and they all fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. They are like puzzle pieces because many years ago, they used to be joined and then they parted. On the other hand, unlike puzzle pieces, some plates are being pushed underneath other plates (usually oceanic under continental), and new crust is being formed at spreading rifts.


How do tectonic plates fit together?

Thay fit together like a jigsaw puzzle


Why are tectonic plates NOT like the pieces of jigsaw puzzles?

They are like puzzle pieces because many years ago, they used to be joined and then they parted. On the other hand, unlike puzzle pieces, some plates are being pushed underneath other plates (usually oceanic under continental), and new crust is being formed at spreading rifts.


What are the pieces of the puzzle if earths surface was a jigsaw puzzle?

The crust is also divided into large pieces called plates. The plates look like big puzzle pieces. Earth's Crust. The crust varies in thickness ...


Which theory explains that the earth is made up of major plates the once joine like a jigsaw puzzle?

Plate Tectonic


What do scientists call the giant puzzle pieces that make up the earths surface?

tectonic plates


Describe the structure of most tectonic plates?

tectonic plates fit together like a jigsaw puzzle that makes up the surface of earth. you could compare the lithosphere to the cracked shell of hard - boiled egg. the shell may be broken into many pieces but it still forms a crust around the egg itself.


Why do seismic waves originate along fault lines?

Seismic waves originate along fault lines because that is an edge of a tectonic plate. Imagine the tectonic plates as pieces of a puzzle. The fault line is the wavy side or edge in the piece and the pieces fit together. Whenever the plates move, they rub against the tectonic plates or puzzle pieces on their sides creating seismic waves.


How did scientist find out about pangaea?

The shape of the continents and how they fit together like puzzle pieces, the tectonic plates.


How are continents and tectonic plates related?

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.