Plate Motion
For the most part, the North American Plate moves in roughly a southwest direction away from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The motion of the plate cannot be driven by subduction as no part of the North American Plate is being subducted, except for a small section comprising part of the Puerto Rico Trench; thus other mechanisms continue to be investigated.
One recent study suggests that a mantle convective current is propelling the plate.
Read more about this topic: North American Plate
Famous quotes containing the words plate and/or motion:
“Say “Yessum” to the ladies, an’ “Yessur” to the men,
And when they’s company, don’t pass yer plate for pie again;
But, thinkin’ of the things yer’d like to see upon that tree,
Jes ‘fore Christmas be as good as yer kin be!”
—Eugene Field (1850–1895)
“... The festival-colored brightness
That is their motion ...”
—Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917)