Direct Measurement

With the development of technology every day, the slow movement of the earth's plates can be measured directly. With the use of computers, laser measurement and satellite remote sensing the distance between two points on either side of a plate boundary can be calculated, and the rate and direction of movement of the plate can be measured.

Even though each plate will have a general direction of movement, the rate at which different parts of the plate moves can vary causing tearing or folding of the plates. These forces can create fault lines in the middle of the plates. The plates move in different directions, and at different rates meaning sometimes they collide or rub up against each other. These movements can cause earthquakes and tsunamis.