<P> This is a list of tectonic plates on the Earth 's surface . Tectonic plates are pieces of Earth 's crust and uppermost mantle , together referred to as the lithosphere . The plates are around 100 km ( 62 mi ) thick and consist of two principal types of material : oceanic crust ( also called sima from silicon and magnesium ) and continental crust ( sial from silicon and aluminium ) . The composition of the two types of crust differs markedly , with mafic basaltic rocks dominating oceanic crust , while continental crust consists principally of lower - density felsic granitic rocks . </P>
<P> This is a list of tectonic plates on the Earth 's surface . Tectonic plates are pieces of Earth 's crust and uppermost mantle , together referred to as the lithosphere . The plates are around 100 km ( 62 mi ) thick and consist of two principal types of material : oceanic crust ( also called sima from silicon and magnesium ) and continental crust ( sial from silicon and aluminium ) . The composition of the two types of crust differs markedly , with mafic basaltic rocks dominating oceanic crust , while continental crust consists principally of lower - density felsic granitic rocks . </P>
plates that make up the earth 's crust
plates that make up the earth 's crust
Tectonic plates
Tectonic plates