• A tectonic plate (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly-shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere. • The plate tectonics theory proposes that the earth’s lithosphere is divided into seven major and some minor plates. • The Seven Major tectonic plates are: 1. Antarctica and the surrounding oceanic plate 2. North American plate 3. South American plate 4. Pacific plate 5. India-Australia-New Zealand plate 6. Africa with the eastern Atlantic floor plate 7. Eurasia and the adjacent oceanic plate