Plate Tectonics Worksheets

What is Plate Tectonics?

It is the study that describe the dynamic of Earth’s outer space. The origin of the concept plate tectonics held in 1960. We can also call this theory a lithosphere. It defines the context of understanding related to volcanoes, mountain-building processes, and earthquakes. We learn about the evolution of Earth’s surface including the reconstruction of oceans and continents. Lithosphere means rigid outer layer of the Earth and asthenosphere is the plastic layer that is 100km thick. Lithosphere has large continental sized pieces that are seven in number. It has also six medium sized plates and other various ones. These plates move relatively with the speed of 5 to 10 cm with 2 to 4 inches per year. There is an interaction between boundaries where they diverge, converge, and slip one another. It starts the seismic and volcanic activity of the Earth. Continents and mountain fracture due to these movements and it gives oceans to get space. A consistent and passive drifting in continents cause a significant change in the geography of earth. Scientists make the theory of plate tectonics according to the comprehensive study of geophysical and geologic data. World has accepted this study as it has presented a true scientific revolution through authentic evidence. It has a great influence on the study of quantum mechanics and the genetic code’s discovery.

The Deadly Shakes

Below you will find a chart of the deadliest earthquakes recorded each year. Rank the earthquakes by the number of fatalities caused. Place a 1 next to the earthquake with the least fatalities, 2 for the earthquake with the next greatest number of fatalities, and so on. Using the chart on the worksheet, answer the questions below.



Inside the Earth

Using research sources, describe the relative temperature and composition of each layer of the Earth.


What's In It?

Label the layers of the Earth. A word bank is provided on one of the sheets.



Visually Label Earth

Label the graphic parts of the Earth.



Layers of the Earth

Describe the composition of Earth's layers.

The Great Shakes

Below you will find a chart of the largest earthquakes recorded each year. Rank the earthquakes by magnitude. Place a 1 next to the earthquake with the least magnitude, 2 for the earthquake with the next greatest magnitude, and so on. Magnitudes that are equal should have the same rank. Answer the questions that follow.