Day 232 of 365

August 20

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Geography

Tectonic Plates and Continental Drift

Earth's surface is divided into about 15 major tectonic plates floating on the semi-fluid mantle below. They move a few centimeters per year - about as fast as fingernails grow. Over millions of years, this reshapes continents and creates mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

💡 Did you know?

200 million years ago, all continents were joined as Pangaea - and they'll merge again in 250 million years!

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