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Cocos Plate
The Cocos Plate is a young oceanic plate formed at the East Pacific Rise, subducting beneath Central America and the Caribbean Plate. Its rapid convergence creates the Central American Volcanic Arc, responsible for the numerous active volcanoes from Guatemala to Costa Rica. The plate's subduction also triggers frequent earthquakes in the region and has created the Middle America Trench along the Pacific coast of Central America.
Plate Information
Size: 2.9 million km²
Movement: Northeast
Speed: 8 cm/year
Countries: 0
Countries & Territories
This plate is entirely oceanic with no land masses.
Key Facts
- Young oceanic plate created at the East Pacific Rise
- Subducting under the Caribbean Plate
- Causes volcanic activity in Central America
- Moving northeast at about 8 cm per year