Tectonic plates are pieces of Earth's crust and upper mantle called the lithosphere and are about 100 km thick. There are two main types of plates: oceanic and continental, each composed of different materials. The formation and movement of these plates generates everything from the shape and orientation of continents to the mountains and trenches on Earth. The plates layer shows major and minor plates. Microplates are not included in this map. This version of the tectonic plates and boundaries was derived from Peter Bird in Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 4(3), 1027, [doi:10.1029/2001GC000252]. The full publication can be read here. Processing of the 2014 version of the data into GIS formats was done by Hugo Ahlenius.

The Earth’s lithosphere is made up of a series of plates that float on the mantle. Scientists think the convection of the mantle causes these plates to move triggering earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain-building events, or trench formation. These plates creep along at a rate of approximately five to ten centimeters (two to four inches) per year. These plates move in primarily three main ways. They slide past one another along transform (strike-slip) boundaries, they push against each other at convergent boundaries, or pull away in opposite directions at divergent boundaries. Each one of these interactions create different types of landforms. For example, the steady pressure of the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate built the Himalaya mountains and the Plateau of Tibet. The divergent boundary between the African Plate and the Arabian formed the Red Sea.Use this plate map layer to explore how the movement of the plates cause earthquakes, volcanoes, or shape Earth’s landscape.

This map layer features both major and minor plates, but excludes microplates. The data is from the scientific study by Peter Bird published in volume 4, issue 3 of Geochemisty, Geophysics, Geosystems and was translated into geospatial formats by Hugo Ahlenius and updated by Dan Pisut.

The global tectonics data compilation is a set of raster and vector data that are useful for investigating tectonics past and present. The datasets are useful on their own or can be used in GIS software, which includes the QGIS project file for convenience. The datasets include our new models for tectonic plate boundaries and deformation zones, geologic provinces and orogens. Additional datasets include earthquake and volcano locations, geochronology, topography, magnetics, gravity, and seismic velocity.

The global tectonics collection is suitable for research and educational purposes.

The surface of the Earth is broken up into large plates. There are seven major plates: North America, South America, Eurasia, Africa, India, the Pacific, and Antarctica. There are also numerous microplates. The number and shapes of the plates change over geologic time. Plates are divided by boundaries that are seismically active. The different plate boundaries can be described by the type of motion that is occurring between the plates at specific locations. Ocean basins contain spreading ridges where the youngest portions of the seafloor are found. At the spreading ridges magma is released as it pushes up from the mantle and new oceanic crust is formed. At subduction zone boundaries plates are moving toward each other, with one plate subducting or moving beneath the other. When this occurs the crust is pushed into the mantle where it is recycled into magma.Data accessed from here: https://www-udc.ig.utexas.edu/external/plates/data.htm

117 original plate boundaries from Esri Data and Maps (2007) edited to better match 10 years of earthquakes, land forms and bathymetry from Mapping Our World's WSI_Earth image from module 2. Esri Canada's education layer of plate boundaries and the Smithsonian's ascii file from the download section of the 'This Dynamic Planet' site plate boundaries were used to compare the resulting final plate boundaries for significant differences.

This map depicts one year of global earthquakes and plate boundaries. Click on an earthquake for details about that event. Data is from the USGS Earthquake Catalog.If you have questions about the table, read the documentation from the USGS.

This layer shows the interpreted surface locations of active plate and microplate boundaries, in and around Te Riu-a-Māui / Zealandia. The layer was newly-compiled for, and is part of, the 'Tectonic map of Te Riu-a-Māui / Zealandia' 1:8 500 000 dataset.

The PALEOMAP project produces paleogreographic maps illustrating the Earth's plate tectonic, paleogeographic, climatic, oceanographic and biogeographic development from the Precambrian to the Modern World and beyond.

A series of digital data sets has been produced consisting of plate tectonic data, climatically sensitive lithofacies, and biogeographic data. Software has been devloped to plot maps using the PALEOMAP plate tectonic model and digital geographic data sets: PGIS/Mac, Plate Tracker for Windows 95, Paleocontinental Mapper and Editor (PCME), Earth System History GIS (ESH-GIS), PaleoGIS(uses ArcView), and PALEOMAPPER.

Teaching materials for educators including atlases, slide sets, VHS animations, JPEG images and CD-ROM digital images.

Some PALEOMAP products include: Plate Tectonic Computer Animation (VHS) illustrating motions of the continents during the last 850 million years.

Paleogeographic Atlas consisting of 20 full color paleogeographic maps. (Scotese, 1997).

Paleogeographic Atlas Slide Set (35mm)

Paleogeographic Digital Images (JPEG, PC/Mac diskettes)

Paleogeographic Digital Image Archive (EPS, PC/Mac Zip disk) consists of the complete digital archive of original digital graphic files used to produce plate tectonic and paleographic maps for the Paleographic Atlas.

GIS software such as PaleoGIS and ESH-GIS.

A seismotectonic map shows geologic, seismological, and other information that is pertinent to seismic hazards but previously was scattered among many sources. Afghanistan is part of the Eurasian plate. Afghan seismicity is driven by the relative northward movements of the Arabian plate past western Afghanistan at 33 mm/yr and of the Indian plate past eastern Afghanistan at 39 mm/yr or faster as both plates subduct under Eurasia. Afghanistan is laced with faults. Known faults large enough to have been mapped at a scale of 1:500,000 are least abundant in the stable North Afghan platform, more abundant in the accreted terranes of southern Afghanistan, and most likely to slip rapidly and generate earthquakes in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan in the broad transpressional plate boundary with the Indian plate. Crustal earthquakes are most abundant in and around northeastern Afghanistan as a result of the northward subduction of the Indian plate. Crustal earthquakes are somewhat less abundant in much of the transpressional plate boundary with India. Central and western Afghanistan are least seismically active. Beneath the Hindu Kush of northeastern Afghanistan and the Pamirs of adjacent Tajikistan, numerous mantle earthquakes occur within a steeply dipping, northeast-trending, tabular zone that is 700 km long and extends nearly to 300 km depth. Except for the Chaman fault that forms part of the western edge of the transpressional plate boundary in Pakistan and Afghanistan, published evidence for or against the activity of individual Afghan faults is sparse.

[Summary provided by the USGS.]

The data set for the Butler Peak quadrangle has been prepared by the Southern California Areal Mapping Project (SCAMP), a cooperative project sponsored jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey and the California Division of Mines and Geology, as part of an ongoing effort to utilize a Geographical Information System (GIS) format to create a regional digital geologic database for southern California. This regional database is being developed as a contribution to the National Geologic Map Data Base of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program of the USGS. Development of the data set for the Butler Peak quadrangle has also been supported by the U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest.

The digital geologic map database for the Butler Peak quadrangle has been created as a general-purpose data set that is applicable to other land-related investigations in the earth and biological sciences. For example, the U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest, is using the database as part of a study of an endangered plant species that shows preference for particular rock type environments. The Butler Peak database is not suitable for site-specific geologic evaluations at scales greater than 1:24,000 (1 in = 2,000 ft).

This data set maps and describes the geology of the Butler Peak 7.5' quadrangle, San Bernardino County, California. Created using Environmental Systems Research Institute's ARC/INFO software, the data base consists of the following items: (1) a map coverage showing geologic contacts and units,(2) a scanned topographic base at a scale of 1:24,000, and (3) attribute tables for geologic units (polygons), contacts (arcs), and site-specific data (points). In addition, the data set includes the following graphic and text products: (1) A PostScript graphic plot-file containing the geologic map on a 1:24,000 topographic base accompanied by a Description of Map Units (DMU), a Correlation of Map Units (CMU), and a key to point and line symbols; (2) PDF files of the DMU and CMU, and of this Readme, and (3) this metadata file.

The geologic map data base contains original U.S. Geological Survey data generated by detailed field observation and by interpretation of aerial photographs. The map was created by transferring lines from the aerial photographs to a 1:24,000 mylar orthophoto-quadrangle and then to a base-stable topographic map. This map was then scribed, and a .007 mil, right-reading, black line clear film made by contact photographic processes.The black line was scanned and auto-vectorized by Optronics Specialty Company, Northridge, CA. The non-attributed scan was imported into ARC/INFO, where the database was built. Within the database, geologic contacts are represented as lines (arcs), geologic units as polygons, and site-specific data as points. Polygon, arc, and point attribute tables (.pat, .aat, and .pat, respectively) uniquely identify each geologic datum and link it to other tables (.rel) that provide more detailed geologic information.

The 2011 Bedrock Geologic Map of Vermont (1:100,000 scale) was created to integrate detailed (1:12,000- to 1:24,000-scale) modern mapping with the theory of plate tectonics to provide a framework for geologic, tectonic, economic, hydrogeologic, and environmental characterization of the bedrock of Vermont. It supersedes the 1961 bedrock geologic map which was produced at a scale of 1:250,000 (Doll and others, 1961).Please see the metadata and readme files at the publication website:https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3184/

NCED is currently involved in researching the effectiveness of anaglyph maps in the classroom and are working with educators and scientists to interpret various Earth-surface processes. Based on the findings of the research, various activities and interpretive information will be developed and available for educators to use in their classrooms. Keep checking back with this website because activities and maps are always being updated. We believe that anaglyph maps are an important tool in helping students see the world and are working to further develop materials and activities to support educators in their use of the maps.

This website has various 3-D maps and supporting materials that are available for download. Maps can be printed, viewed on computer monitors, or projected on to screens for larger audiences. Keep an eye on our website for more maps, activities and new information. Let us know how you use anaglyph maps in your classroom. Email any ideas or activities you have to ncedmaps@umn.edu

Anaglyph paper maps are a cost effective offshoot of the GeoWall Project. Geowall is a high end visualization tool developed for use in the University of Minnesota's Geology and Geophysics Department. Because of its effectiveness it has been expanded to 300 institutions across the United States. GeoWall projects 3-D images and allows students to see 3-D representations but is limited because of the technology. Paper maps are a cost effective solution that allows anaglyph technology to be used in classroom and field-based applications.

Maps are best when viewed with RED/CYAN anaglyph glasses!

A note on downloading: "viewable" maps are .jpg files; "high-quality downloads" are .tif files. While it is possible to view the latter in a web-browser in most cases, the download may be slow. As an alternative, try right-clicking on the link to the high-quality download and choosing "save" from the pop-up menu that results. Save the file to your own machine, then try opening the saved copy. This may be faster than clicking directly on the link to open it in the browser.

World Map: 3-D map that highlights oceanic bathymetry and plate boundaries.

Continental United States: 3-D grayscale map of the Lower 48.

Western United States: 3-D grayscale map of the Western United States with state boundaries.

Regional Map: 3-D greyscale map stretching from Hudson Bay to the Central Great Plains. This map includes the Western Great Lakes and the Canadian Shield.

Minnesota Map: 3-D greyscale map of Minnesota with county and state boundaries.

Twin Cities: 3-D map extending beyond Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Twin Cities Confluence Map: 3-D map highlighting the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. This map includes most of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Minneapolis, MN: 3-D topographical map of South Minneapolis.

Bassets Creek, Minneapolis: 3-D topographical map of the Bassets Creek watershed.

North Minneapolis: 3-D topographical map highlighting North Minneapolis and the Mississippi River.

St. Paul, MN: 3-D topographical map of St. Paul.

Western Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka area.

Minnesota River Valley Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Edina area.

Southern Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of Burnsville, Lakeville and Prior Lake area.

Southeast Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of South St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Apple Valley and Eagan area.

Northeast Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of White Bear Lake, Maplewood and Roseville area.

Northwest Suburbs, Mississippi River, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center and Maple Grove area.

Blaine, MN: 3-D map of Blaine and the Mississippi River.

White Bear Lake, MN: 3-D topographical map of White Bear Lake and the surrounding area.

Maple Grove, MN: 3-D topographical mmap of the NW suburbs of the Twin Cities.

The 2011 Bedrock Geologic Map of Vermont (1:100,000 scale) was created to integrate detailed (1:12,000- to 1:24,000-scale) modern mapping with the theory of plate tectonics to provide a framework for geologic, tectonic, economic, hydrogeologic, and environmental characterization of the bedrock of Vermont. It supersedes the 1961 bedrock geologic map which was produced at a scale of 1:250,000 (Doll and others, 1961).Please see the metadata and readme files at the publication website:https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3184/

ESYS plc and the Department of Geomatic Engineering at University College London (UCL) have been funded by the British National Space Centre (BNSC) to develop a web GIS service to serve geographic data derived from remote sensing datasets. Funding was provided as part of the BNSC International Co-operation Programme 2 (ICP-2).

Particular aims of the project were to:

1. use Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC, recently renamed from the OpenGIS Consortium) technologies for map and data serving;

2. serve datasets for Europe and Africa, particularly Landsat TM and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) data;

3. provide a website giving access to the served data;

4. provide software scripts, etc., and a document reporting the data processing and software set-up methods developed during the project.

ICEDS was inspired in particular by the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites (CEOS) CEOS Landsat and SRTM Project (CLASP) proposal. An express intention of ICEDS (aim 4 in the list above) was therefore that the solution developed by ESYS and UCL should be redistributable, for example, to other CEOS members. This was taken to mean not only software scripts but also the methods developed by the project team to prepare the data and set up the server. In order to be compatible with aim 4, it was also felt that the use of Open Source, or at least 'free-of-cost' software for the Web GIS serving was an essential component. After an initial survey of the Web GIS packages available at the time , the ICEDS team decided to use the Deegree package, a free software initiative founded by the GIS and Remote Sensing unit of the Department of Geography, University of Bonn , and lat/lon . However the Red Spider web mapping software suite was also provided by IONIC Software - this is a commercial web mapping package but was provided pro bono by IONIC for this project and has been used in parallel to investigate the possibilities and limitations opened up by using a commercial package.

http://iceds.ge.ucl.ac.uk/

The 'Major crustal boundaries of Australia' map synthesizes more than 30 years of acquisition of deep seismic reflection data across Australia, where major crustal-scale breaks have been interpreted in the seismic reflection profiles, often inferred to be relict sutures between different crustal blocks. The widespread coverage of the seismic profiles now provides the opportunity to construct a map of major crustal boundaries across Australia. Starting with the locations of the crustal breaks identified in the seismic profiles, geological (e.g. outcrop mapping, drill hole, geochronology, isotope) and geophysical (e.g. gravity, aeromagnetic, magnetotelluric) data are used to map the crustal boundaries, in map view, away from the seismic profiles. For some of these boundaries, a high level of confidence can be placed on the location, whereas the location of other boundaries can only be considered to have medium or low confidence. In other areas, especially in regions covered by thick sedimentary successions, the locations of some crustal boundaries are essentially unconstrained. The 'Major crustal boundaries of Australia' map shows the locations of inferred ancient plate boundaries, and will provide constraints on the three dimensional architecture of Australia. It allows a better understanding of how the Australian continent was constructed from the Mesoarchean through to the Phanerozoic, and how this evolution and these boundaries have controlled metallogenesis. It is best viewed as a dynamic dataset, which will have to be further refined and updated as new information such as seismic reflection data becomes available.

This map can be used:- to study the motion of the plates- to study phenomena taking place at plate boundaries- to visualize processes taking place.

The 2011 Bedrock Geologic Map of Vermont (1:100,000 scale) was created to integrate detailed (1:12,000- to 1:24,000-scale) modern mapping with the theory of plate tectonics to provide a framework for geologic, tectonic, economic, hydrogeologic, and environmental characterization of the bedrock of Vermont. It supersedes the 1961 bedrock geologic map which was produced at a scale of 1:250,000 (Doll and others, 1961).Please see the metadata and readme files at the publication website:https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3184/

Stress maps show the orientation of the current maximum horizontal stress (SHmax) in the earth's crust. Assuming that the vertical stress (SV) is a principal stress, SHmax defines the orientation of the 3D stress tensor; the minimum horizontal stress Shmin is than perpendicular to SHmax. In stress maps SHmax orientations are represented as lines of different lengths. The length of the line is a measure of the quality of data and the symbol shows the stress indicator and the color the stress regime. The stress data are freely available and part of the World Stress Map (WSM) project. For more information about the data and criteria of data analysis and quality mapping are plotted along the WSM website at http://www.world-stress-map.org. The stress map of Great Britain and Ireland 2022 is based on the WSM database release 2016. All data records have been checked and we added a number of new data from earthquake focal mechanisms from the national earthquake catalog and borehole data. The number of data records has increased from n=377 in the WSM 2016 to n=474 in this map. Some locations and assigned quality of WSM 2016 data were corrected due to new information. The digital version of the map is a layered pdf generated with GMT (Wessel et al., 2019) using the topography of Tozer et al. (2019). We also provide on a regular 0.1° grid values of the mean SHmax orientation which have a standard deviation < 25°. The mean SHmax orientation is estimated using the tool stress2grid of Ziegler and Heidbach (2019). For this estimation we used only data records with A-C quality and applied weights according to data quality and distance to the grid points. The stress map is available at the landing page of the GFZ Data Services at http://doi.org/10.5880/WSM.GreatBritainIreland2022 where further information is provided.

These modules have some GIS embedded within in them.The modules have been aligned to Level 4-6 Achievement Objectives from the Science Learning Area of the New Zealand Curriculum and are accompanied by a Teacher Guide to support their use in the classroom. Each module comes with a downloadable and printable activity sheet and finishes with a quiz to test students learning. Answers to the activity sheets are included in the Teacher Guide.Please note: The What’s On Our Plates? learning modules are best viewed on a desktop, laptop or tablet, they are not suitable for viewing on mobile phones or small screens. We recommend using Google Chrome, the maps will not work in Internet Explorer.If your school needs access to an ArcGIS Online Subscription to finish the Story Map , GIS components of the modules, please email gisinschools@eagle.co.nz with your request.