Continental plate drift
Continental plate drift is the slow movement of Earth's tectonic plates driven by forces within the planet's mantle.
Also known as: tectonic plate drift speed
How big is it?
8 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s · representative plate speed
Representative plate speed · representative
Typical recorded range: 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s to 3 × 10⁻⁹ m/s.
A little perspective
Continental plate drift vs Fingernail growth: speed comparison
The rate of fingernail growth is about 1.25 times continental plate drift.
DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND
Continental plate drift is the slow movement of Earth's tectonic plates driven by forces within the planet's mantle.
800 pm in 1 s
Fingernail growth is the process by which human fingernails gradually extend from the base of the nail bed over time.
1 nm in 1 s
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Continental plate drift
Representative plate speed: 8 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s; representative; range 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s–3 × 10⁻⁹ m/s.
A representative tectonic-plate speed of 8 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s, about 2.5 cm per year. Plates move at different rates and directions.
The marked representative plate speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Fingernail growth
Speed: 1 × 10⁻⁹ m/s; approximate; range 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s–2 × 10⁻⁹ m/s.
A curated fingernail growth comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 8 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s
We compare continental plate drift. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary. The recorded range is 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s to 3 × 10⁻⁹ m/s.
A representative tectonic-plate speed of 8 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s, about 2.5 cm per year. Plates move at different rates and directions.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s | 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/s to 3 × 10⁻⁹ m/s | representative |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueMotion and speedTree trunk radial growth1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/sSpeedTree trunk radial growth refers to the outward expansion of a tree's trunk as new layers of wood are added beneath the bark.Nearest higher valueMotion and speedFingernail growth1 × 10⁻⁹ m/sSpeedFingernail growth is the process by which human fingernails gradually extend from the base of the nail bed over time.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- USGS — This Dynamic EarthTectonic plates move at centimetres-per-year scales.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
SpaceEarth12,740 kmEarth is the rocky planet on which we live and the third planet from the Sun.
MotionSnail crawling0.001 m/sSnail crawling is the slow movement of a snail as it glides along a surface using its muscular foot.MotionFingernail growth1 × 10⁻⁹ m/sFingernail growth is the process by which human fingernails gradually extend from the base of the nail bed over time.MotionTree trunk radial growth1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/sTree trunk radial growth refers to the outward expansion of a tree's trunk as new layers of wood are added beneath the bark.MotionStalactite growth front3 × 10⁻¹¹ m/sA stalactite growth front is the advancing tip of a stalactite, where mineral deposits accumulate as water drips in caves.MotionSlime mould migration1 × 10⁻⁵ m/sSlime mould migration is the rate at which a motile stage of slime mould advances across a surface in search of food.MotionSperm cell swimming5 × 10⁻⁵ m/sSperm cell swimming refers to the speed at which a human sperm cell moves through fluid using its tail for propulsion.
MotionElectron drift in household copper wiring0.0001 m/sThis refers to the slow average movement of electrons through copper wire when an electric current flows.