An Earth planet model based on the science of plate tectonics. Accordingly, the model (10) includes a plurality of curved members (12), each curved member representing one of Earth's crustal tectonic plates. Each plate member (12) is formed of a durable, lightweight plastic material and molded in raised and indented relief to illustrate such tectonic features as subduction zones, collision zones, mid-ocean ridges, island chains, island arcs, continental shelves, terrestrial and ocean floor topography, and the like. Plates (12) are attached to the exterior of a base globe (14) forming, as a whole, the surface layer of Earth, or lithosphere. The base globe itself consists of a plurality of spheroidal members, an inner core (22), an outer core (20), and a mantle (18), representing Earth's internal strata. The assembled model is positioned on a supporting pedestal (11) for display or demonstration. The pedestal includes a simple rotary mechanism which allows rotation of the model.
展开▼