Q. Consider the following statements:
1. Pacific plate is largely an oceanic plate whereas the Eurasian plate may be called a continental plate.
2. Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid units.
Which of the above given statements is/are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation:
- A tectonic plate (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly-shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere.
- Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid units. The lithosphere includes the crust and top mantle with its thickness range varying between 5 and100 km in oceanic parts and about 200 km in the continental areas.
- A plate may be referred to as the continental plate or oceanic plate depending on which of the two occupy a larger portion of the plate. Pacific plate is largely an oceanic plate whereas the Eurasian plate may be called a continental plate.
- The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the earth’s lithosphere is divided into seven major and some minor plates. Young Fold Mountain ridges, trenches, and/or faults surround these major plates.
Source: NCERT Class 11
