American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Plates on the Move
Find an interrelated set of tools--maps, animations, diagrams, photographs, and text--to help you understand tectonic plates and how they move.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Madagascar: What Are Tectonic Plates and How Are They Moving?
This lesson teaches students about tectonic plates, plate boundaries, and their role in earthquakes and volcanoes.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Tectonic Plate Movement in Alaska
In this video adapted from KUAC-TV and the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, learn how tectonic plate movement is responsible for building mountains, such as the Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains. 2m 16s
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Mountains Are Formed
Students investigate how mountains are formed. Concepts include the composition and structure of the Earth's tectonic plates and tectonic plate boundaries, with an emphasis on plate convergence as it relates to mountain formation....
South Carolina Educational Television
Know It All Media: Plate Tectonics: Plate Movements
Animated simulations showing the three types of plate movements: divergent, convergent, and lateral plate boundaries.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Plate Tectonics Through Earth History Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Summarizes the key points about the movement of tectonic plates throughout Earth's history. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
PBS
A Science Odyssey: You Try It: Plate Tectonics
Using your computer mouse you can simulate transforming, collisional, divergent and convergent plate boundaries. Descriptions of each plate boundary are also available.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Theory of Plate Tectonics
A detailed discussion of plate tectonics. Looks at continental drift, types of tectonic plates and plate boundaries, and primary and secondary tectonic plates.
Northwestern University
Northwestern University: Measuring Plate Motions [Pdf]
This slideshow gives an advanced-level explanation of how to calculate the distance that tectonic plates move by using Physics formulas and concepts. Includes a discussion of marine magnetic anomalies and how these impact plate movement....
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Analyzing Plate Motion Using Earth Scope Gps Data
In this chapter, you will access Global Positioning System (GPS) data from the Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) and analyze the data in a spreadsheet to measure the motion of GPS stations in the Pacific Northwest. From your analyses, you...
Indiana University
Indiana University: Evolution of Continents and Oceans
A course lecture on how the Earth's geological features have evolved through the movements of tectonic plates. Explains the different types of plate boundaries and how they manifest in geological formations. Also describes the structure...
Libre Text
Libre Text: Plate Tectonics and People
Over geologic time, plate movements in concert with other geologic processes, such as glacial and stream erosion, have created some of nature's most magnificent scenery. The Himalayas, the Swiss Alps, and the Andes are some spectacular...
National Institute of Educational Technologies and Teacher Training (Spain)
Ministerio De Educacion: Estructura Interna De La Tierra
In addition to exploring the inside of the earth, this unit will explore the consequences on the dynamics of the outer layers; it will deepen the knowledge of plate tectonics and the movement of the plates in the past. It includes 16...
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Expeditions to the Sea Floor: Plate Tectonics
Interactive site provides information on the Breakup of Pangea, plate boundaries, plate movements as well as a quiz.
Other
University of Delaware: Plate Tectonics
This site is a very simple overview of plate tectonics. It includes a map of all the major plates and a diagram of the layers of the earth.
Libre Text
Libre Texts: Understanding Plate Tectonics
Scientists have a fairly good understanding of how the plates of the Earth move and how such movements relate to earthquake activity. Most movement occurs along narrow zones between plates where the results of plate-tectonic forces are...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Uncovering Plate Tectonics
In this investigation, middle schoolers will be given an opportunity to make the connection between plate boundary movement and the topographic features of the earth.
University of Oregon
The Electronic Universe Project: Plate Boundaries/plate Tectonics
Visit this site to learn more about the different types of plate boundaries. Includes color pictures and easy-to-understand examples of how and why plates move the way they do.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Plate Kinematics
For this activity, young scholars will observe and understand the basic kinematics of plate movement, how oceans are formed during continental rifting, and the relationship between plate geometry and tectonic data such as earthquakes,...
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: All About Plate Tectonics
Simple discussion of plate tectonics and Pangaea. Includes maps and interactives.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Hawaiian Islands: Volcano Ages, Hotspots and Plate Motion
The ages of volcanic rocks are used to investigate speed of motion of the Pacific plate, to analyze the distinctive bend in the chain, and to consider the age data in the context of a hotspot model of formation.
Read Works
Read Works: Slow and Steady
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about tectonic plates and how their slow and steady movements have helped to shape the earth. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Geography: Places: Africa's Great Rift Valley
Describes the geography of the Great Rift Valley in Africa, how it was formed by tectonic plate separation, and the majestic lakes and falls that have been created by it.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Dynamic Earth: Plates and Boundaries
Interactive website where students can learn about movement of earth's 15 major tectonoic plates and identify types of boundaries. Includes glossary and learning game.