Moving Plates

Earth is made up of different layers: the crust, the mantle below the crust, and the core at the center of Earth. The crust is solid, the mantle is solid on the top and soft below, and the core is soft metal on the outside and solid metal in the middle. The crust and solid upper mantle are broken up into huge pieces called plates that float on the soft magma of the lower mantle, and these plates are carried along by magma as it moves. The movement of one plate over another can cause mountains to form as well as creating earthquakes and volcanoes, and the movement of plates that slide in opposite directions can cause earthquakes. Plates moving away from each other can create a space for magma to move up between them, causing new crust to be formed as the magma cools and also causing volcanoes and earthquakes. Scientists map the edges of plates by looking for places where mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes occur.Pronunciation guide. 24 pages with colorful photographs, illustrations and diagrams. Reading Level 1-3. Interest Level 2-5. Lexile measure 580L. Word count 321. Read more