What Is a Microplate?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What is a microplate?

The Big Idea

A microplate is a small plate squeezed between big ones! Off the coast of British Columbia, there are two of them, side by side. They are the Juan de Fuca plate and the Explorer plate.

Small Pieces

Step one: small pieces. Some plates are huge, and some are tiny. Microplates can be just a few hundred kilometers wide, tiny compared with the Pacific plate.

Sliding Under

Step two: sliding under. The Juan de Fuca and Explorer plates slowly slide under North America. They move just a few centimeters a year, about as fast as fingernails grow.

Building Strain

Step three: building strain. As the plates slide, the rock gets squeezed and strain slowly builds. Someday it could cause a large earthquake, so scientists watch closely and communities prepare.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Out in the Pacific Ocean, small plates move. Two microplates sit near British Columbia. They slide under the edge of North America. That slow squeeze is why scientists keep watching with GPS and other instruments.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Microplates can be just a few hundred kilometers wide. Juan de Fuca is the plate near Vancouver Island. Scientists track movement with GPS and special instruments. Strong buildings and practice drills help people stay safe and ready.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Find a map of the west coast of Canada. Look for Vancouver Island and the ocean off it, to the west. Draw the Juan de Fuca plate with a pencil. Add arrows showing where it moves under the land.

Outro

Microplates are small plates between big ones. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!