< / > Click here to embed this graphic on your website The
recent earthquakes that have pounded Japan, New Zealand and
Chile all have one thing in common: They were caused by the
movement of a massive piece of Earth known as the Pacific Plate.
The Pacific Plate is one of nine giant tectonic plates that
cover the Earth’s surface. But it’s bigger, faster and more
deadly than the others. And Japan sits right on top of the most
active section.