answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The Lithosphere.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

5mo ago

Tectonic plates are composed of both oceanic and continental crust. Oceanic plates are predominantly made of basaltic rock, while continental plates are primarily composed of granitic rock. The Earth's lithosphere, which includes the tectonic plates, is made up of these crustal rocks.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What are most tectonic plates composed of?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Earth Science

What is the structure of most tectonic plates?

Tectonic plates are typically composed of a rigid outer layer known as the lithosphere, which includes the crust and upper part of the mantle. This lithospheric layer is broken into several large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These plates interact along their boundaries, which can be convergent, divergent, or transform faults.


Are plates composed of the crust and part of the upper mantle?

Yes, tectonic plates are composed of the Earth's crust and part of the upper mantle. The movement of these plates is responsible for various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic activity.


Does Jupiter have tectonic plates?

Jupiter does not have tectonic plates like those found on Earth. Jupiter is a gas giant composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, with no solid surface for tectonic activity to occur. Tectonic plates are unique to rocky planets like Earth.


What kind of rock are the tectonic plates composed of?

Tectonic plates are composed of primarily of lithosphere, which is a combination of crust and upper mantle rock. The crust portion is mainly made up of igneous and metamorphic rocks, while the upper mantle portion consists of peridotite, a type of ultramafic rock.


What layer do tectonic plates sit om?

Tectonic plates sit on the lithosphere, which is the rigid outer layer of the Earth composed of the crust and uppermost mantle. This layer is divided into several large and small plates that move on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them.

Related questions

Are tectonic plates composed of continental and oceanic crust?

Yesshhh :)


What are most of tectonic plates made of?

Most tectonic plates are made of both oceanic and continental crust. Oceanic crust is primarily composed of basalt, a dense volcanic rock, while continental crust is made up of granite and other lighter rocks. These differences in composition play a role in the movements and interactions of tectonic plates.


Are plates any where else but under the sea?

Yes. All of Earth's crust, both on land and on the seafloor, is composed of tectonic plates.


What is composed of oceanic continental crust and upper mantle?

That would be the lithosphere which is split into tectonic plates.


What is the structure of most tectonic plates?

Tectonic plates are typically composed of a rigid outer layer known as the lithosphere, which includes the crust and upper part of the mantle. This lithospheric layer is broken into several large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These plates interact along their boundaries, which can be convergent, divergent, or transform faults.


How many tectonic plates are composed of only continental crust?

Some geologists believe there are no tectonic plates composed solely of continental crust, as plates typically consist of both continental and oceanic crust. The concept of a plate composed entirely of continental crust is not widely accepted in the field of plate tectonics.


Are plates composed of the crust and part of the upper mantle?

Yes, tectonic plates are composed of the Earth's crust and part of the upper mantle. The movement of these plates is responsible for various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic activity.


Why are most of the earthquakes and volcanoes located at the border of the tectonic plates?

Beacause plates, at tectonic, boundaries shift against each other.


The lithosphere is broken up into sections called?

The lithosphere is broken up into sections called tectonic plates. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below and interact with one another at plate boundaries, where most earthquakes and volcanic activity occur.


Does Jupiter have tectonic plates?

Jupiter does not have tectonic plates like those found on Earth. Jupiter is a gas giant composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, with no solid surface for tectonic activity to occur. Tectonic plates are unique to rocky planets like Earth.


What kind of rock are the tectonic plates composed of?

Tectonic plates are composed of primarily of lithosphere, which is a combination of crust and upper mantle rock. The crust portion is mainly made up of igneous and metamorphic rocks, while the upper mantle portion consists of peridotite, a type of ultramafic rock.


What layer do tectonic plates sit om?

Tectonic plates sit on the lithosphere, which is the rigid outer layer of the Earth composed of the crust and uppermost mantle. This layer is divided into several large and small plates that move on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them.