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Easter Plate

The Easter Plate is a small oceanic microplate that hosts the famous Easter Island (Rapa Nui), known for its mysterious moai statues. The plate formed at the East Pacific Rise and moves eastward. Easter Island's volcanism resulted from a mantle hotspot, similar to Hawaii, creating this isolated speck of land in the vast Pacific Ocean. The plate is bounded by actively spreading mid-ocean ridges.

Easter Plate map

Plate Information

Size: 0.15 million km²
Movement: Eastward
Speed: 6 cm/year
Countries: 1

Countries & Territories

Easter Island (Chile)

Key Facts

  • Contains Easter Island
  • Entirely oceanic
  • Bounded by spreading ridges
  • Part of the East Pacific Rise system