Galápagos Microplate

Galápagos Microplate
Type	Minor
Approx. Area	12,000 km^2[1]
Movement^1	clockwise
Speed^1	?
Features	Pacific Ocean
^1Relative to the African Plate

The Galápagos Microplate is a small tectonic plate off the west coast of South America near the Galapagos Islands.Coordinates: 1°45′N 101°45′W / 1.75°N 101.75°W^[2] It differs from most other crustal plates in that it is rotating clockwise between three much larger crustal plates around it, the Nazca, Cocos and Pacific Plates. To its north, an even smaller microplate, the North Galápagos Microplate is likewise rotating, but counterclockwise.^[3] Both microplates "mesh" along the interface between them.

References

1. http://geology.about.com/library/bl/blplate_size_table.htm
2. "Columbia University Researchers Find Key to the Formation of New Seafloor Spreading Centers". December 3, 2002. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
3. "Galapagos Microplate". February 23, 2005. Retrieved October 6, 2010.