Identifying Major Tectonic Plates
Tectonic plates are massive, irregularly shaped slabs of solid rock, composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere, that glide slowly over the Earth's mantle. These plates are categorized based on their size into major and minor plates.
Plate Classification Analysis
The question asks to identify a major tectonic plate from the given options. Major tectonic plates are defined by their large surface area.
- Pacific plate: This is the largest tectonic plate on Earth, covering about 103 million square kilometers. It is primarily an oceanic plate.
- Nazca plate: This is an oceanic tectonic plate located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, off the west coast of South America. It is considered a minor plate.
- Cocos plate: Located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, beneath the Cocos Islands, it is also an oceanic plate and classified as a minor plate.
- Arabian plate: This is a minor tectonic plate covering the majority of the Arabian Peninsula.
Major vs. Minor Tectonic Plates
Based on size and geological consensus, the Pacific plate is classified as a major tectonic plate, while the Nazca, Cocos, and Arabian plates are considered minor plates.
| Plate Name | Classification |
|---|---|
| Pacific plate | Major |
| Nazca plate | Minor |
| Cocos plate | Minor |
| Arabian plate | Minor |
Conclusion
Therefore, the Pacific plate is the correct example of a major tectonic plate among the choices provided.
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Important Questions from Geomorphology
Which one of the following is not an igneous rock?
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Hypocenter is the point on the surface of the Earth, nearest to the focus.
2. Velocity of earthquake waves is higher in denser materials.
3. P waves move faster and are the first to arrive at the surface of the Earth.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Which one of the following is the lowermost/innermost intrusive igneous rock?
The formation of ‘tors’ on small rocky hills is associated with which among the following?
Which one of the following statements about metamorphic rocks is not correct?
