Plate tectonics is relatively new, put forth in the last 30 years or so — its forerunner was the now-discarded continental drift theory. The theory states that Earth's outer shell is made up of huge slabs of rock called plates that glide over the planet's inner layer, or mantle. As these plates shift, they sometimes collide with other plates, making for some interesting, and even deadly, results on Earth's surface, from erupting volcanoes, to earthquakes, to new mountain ranges. Here's a look at Live Science's news and features related to this constantly moving jigsaw puzzle.
Latest about plate tectonics
A single massive tectonic collision? That's not how the Himalayas came to be, scientists say
The world's highest mountain system may have reached 60% of its current elevation before the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates crashed into each other, giving the peaks an extra push.
Earth's plate tectonics traced back to 'tipping point' 3.2 billion years ago
Researchers analyzing ancient deposits in Australia found evidence that Earth's layers started to get mixed up — a fingerprint of plate tectonics — about 1.3 billion years after the planet formed.
Mushroom-shaped superplume of scorching hot rock may be splitting Africa in 2
Strange, never-before-seen movements in the East Africa Rift Valley appear to be driven by super-heated rock from deep beneath Earth's surface.
Is Africa splitting into two continents?
Will the East African Rift split the continent and create a new ocean, or will it fizzle out?
Watch 'unprecedented' animation showcasing 100 million years of Earth history
A new model shows how the planet's surface evolved over the past 100 million years, from the shifting of tectonic plates to the movement of sediments.
Fault lines: Facts about cracks in the Earth
Faults in the Earth are categorized into three general groups based on the sense of slip, or movement, that occur along them during earthquakes.
Did Mount Everest Really Shrink? Scientists Measure Peak Again
Scientists in India are planning to measure Mount Everest again, in order to settle the question of whether it shrank in the last earthquake.
Scientists figure out what happens to Earth's disappearing crust
Earth's outer shell is made of rocky rafts that dive beneath each other. The diving plates weaken, but do not break, according to a new study.
