The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the earth.s lithosphere is divided into seven major and some minor plates.
The major plates are as follows:
(i) Antarctica and the surrounding oceanic plate
(ii) North American plate
(iii) South American plate
(iv) Pacific plate
(v) India-Australia-New Zealand plate
(vi) Africa with the eastern Atlantic floor plate
(vii) Eurasia and the adjacent oceanic plate.
Some important minor plates are:
(i) Cocos plate: It is between Central America and Pacific plate
(ii) Nazca plate: It is between South America and Pacific plate
(iii) Arabian plate: It includes mostly the Saudi Arabian landmass
(iv) Philippine plate: It is between the Asiatic and Pacific plate
(v) Caroline plate: It is between the Philippine and Indian plate (North of New Guinea)
(vi) Fuji plate: It includes North-east of Australia.
Pacific plate is largely an oceanic plate whereas the Eurasian plate may be called a continental plale. Plates are static. Plates may converge or diverge. Plates may break as well.
