In Block 1.3  you will see how the external part of the Earth is fragmented in a small number of large tectonic plates which move with respect to each other resulting in different types of interactions.

This is the last part of module 1. At the end of this part you will be able to:

• describe the nature of tectonic plates, of their relative horizontal movements and the three main types of plate margins,
• can interpret data from plate margins and infer geologic processes and
• can explain the distribution and processes controlling phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanism.

Video 1.3.1 documents the occurrence at present and in the past of lithospheric plates which are rigid blocks characterized by homogeneous displacement vectors.