The North American Plate is a tectonic plate covering most of North America, Greenland, Cuba, Bahamas, and parts of Siberia, Iceland and the Azores. It extends eastward to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and westward to the Chersky Range in eastern Siberia. The plate includes both continental and oceanic crust. The interior of the main continental landmass includes an extensive granitic core called a craton. Along most of the edges of this craton are fragments of crustal material called terranes, accreted to the craton by tectonic actions over the long span of geologic time. It is believed that much of North America west of the Rockies is composed of such terranes.
Read more about North American Plate: Geographic Extent, Hotspots, Plate Motion
Famous quotes containing the words north, american and/or plate:
“Only let the North exert as much moral influence over the South, as the South has exerted demoralizing influence over the North, and slavery would die amid the flame of Christian remonstrance, and faithful rebuke, and holy indignation.”
—Angelina Grimké (18051879)
“If Shakespeare has not been equalled, he is sure to be surpassed, and surpassed by an American born now or yet to be born.”
—Herman Melville (18191891)
“Say Yessum to the ladies, an Yessur to the men,
And when theys company, dont pass yer plate for pie again;
But, thinkin of the things yerd like to see upon that tree,
Jes fore Christmas be as good as yer kin be!”
—Eugene Field (18501895)