How to use this site

This web resource is aimed principally at UK science and geography students aged 14-16 (Key Stage 4 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland), and their teachers. We hope it will be of interest to others too.

The main page of the Plate Tectonics module is a world map, which you can use to view the Earth’s tectonic plates, different types of plate boundary, and the distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes. Tick the boxes to add or remove the overlays.

From here, you can click on any of the eight numbered pins – these will take you straight to the case studies (sections 3 and 4). You can then visit sections 1 and 2 to access the relevant historical and scientific information.

Alternatively, you can visit the four main sections by clicking the headings at the top of the page:

Pioneers of plate tectonics describes the people and discoveries that have contributed to our understanding of Plate Tectonics today.

What is a plate? explains what tectonic plates are, in the context of the chemical and physical properties of Earth and its internal structure.

Plate margins describes a range of tectonic processes through the use of an animated case study for each type of plate boundary.

Plate tectonics of the UK looks at the evidence for past tectonic events in the UK.

You can look around these sections using the left-hand navigation menu.

However you use the site, you can return to the world map at any point by clicking on the big ‘Plate Tectonics’ title at the top of the page. Explore the rest of the Geological Society’s website by clicking our logo.

We would welcome your feedback on any aspect of this resource. If there is something that you particularly like – or don’t like – please send an email to [email protected].