How do geologists estimate the speed of plate motion?
Quick Answer
They measure the movement of GPS stations, compare magnetic stripes on the seafloor, and date volcanic or seafloor features. Together, these methods show plates move at a few centimeters per year.
The Full Story
Plate motion is measured in several complementary ways. Modern GPS stations track the positions of points on Earth with millimeter-level precision, showing how fast plates move relative to one another today. Geologists also use the age and spacing of magnetic stripes on the seafloor to calculate spreading rates over millions of years. Hotspot tracks, such as the Hawaiian Islands, provide another record of plate motion through time. Most plates move at rates of about 2 to 10 centimeters per year, roughly the speed at which fingernails grow.
Key Facts
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"Continents move—just slowly enough that you need instruments to see it."
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