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Contents of 1.5 Interaction of Plates

• The theory of plate tectonics states that Earth's lithosphere is divided into a number of plates. These plates move, either towards or away from one another, or past each other.
• The interaction of plates along their contact boundaries accounts for the distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain belts—and provides a basis for examining most Earth processes and products.

1.5 What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics?