Relief world map showing tectonic plates, continent boundaries, and geological features for educational and geographic reference. Perfect for geography enthusiasts and map collectors.

The Dynamic Earth, Plate Tectonics Wall Map by National Geographic

Price range: $54.99 through $339.99

Illustrates plate tectonics and features stunning bathymetry and naturally colored relief, as well as volcano and earthquake data.

The Dynamic Earth Plate Tectonics Wall Map from National Geographic turns the earth’s crust into a legible picture of collision and drift. Published at a scale of 1:45,500,000, it renders the ocean floor in naturally colored relief and bathymetry, so trenches and mid-ocean ridges read as clearly as mountain ranges on land.

The map plots all 17 major tectonic plates and labels the boundary types where they meet.

  • Diffuse, convergent, and spreading plate boundaries, plus active fault zones and hot spots
  • Earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 or greater recorded during the 20th and early 21st centuries
  • Notable volcanic eruptions from the past 10,000 years, with emphasis on 20th and 21st century activity
  • Available on paper, laminated, mounted to foam core, laminated or foam core with black or walnut rails, or framed

Earth science teachers use it to walk students through subduction and seafloor spreading without a textbook diagram. It works just as well in a geology classroom, a homeschool study, or a science-minded office wall.

Language

English
Publisher

National Geographic
Published

2017
Map Scale

1 : 45,500,000

Customer Reviews

Returns

We want you to love your map. If you aren't satisfied, returns are accepted within 30 days for unfinished products.* Please contact us within 30 days of receiving your product to receive a return authorization number. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable unless we made a mistake with your order.

*Finished products such as railed, mounted, and framed maps are not returnable because we make these on-demand just for you and do not stock them. If you have any questions about whether your order qualifies for a return, please contact us.

Map Finishing Options

Transform your wall map into a ready-to-hang centerpiece! Our professional framing and railing services often cost less than visiting a local framer. Choose your finishing option during checkout and receive your map ready to display immediately and hassle-free.

The Map Shop finishing options: layered blue map with ornate border and corner fold, showcasing precise margins and printable edge details for cartography enthusiasts.

Paper

Paper finish is our most economical option. Most maps are printed on premium 36 lb paper. Waterproof paper is also available for functional maps used outdoors.

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Laminated

Maps are printed, then run through our laminator, which applies 1.7 mil satin lamination to the front and back. You can use map stickers and wet-erase markers.

Close-up of a laminated map with a layered edge showing precise border lines and a light blue color, illustrating high-quality finishing options for maps and charts.

Mounted

Maps are printed, then laminated with 1.7 mil satin lamination onto 1/4″-thick foam core. You can use map pins, stickers, or wet-erase markers on our mounted maps.

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Laminated with Rails

We laminate the map, then attach wood rails at the top and bottom. The front of each rail has a black or walnut finish, while the sides and back are unfinished wood. Sawtooth hardware on the back of the top rail makes it ready to hang. You can use stickers or wet-erase markers on your laminated map. If you'd like to mark locations with map pins, we recommend a mounted or framed option.

Close-up of a framed map showing sample finishing options with black and wood veneer edges, highlighting border texture and double matting.

Mounted with Rails

We laminate the map onto foam core, then attach wood rails at the top and bottom. The front of each rail has a black or walnut finish, while the sides and back are unfinished wood. Sawtooth hardware on the back of the top rail makes it ready to hang. You can use map pins, stickers, or wet-erase markers on your map. Unlike Laminated with Rails, this option lies clean and flat against the wall.

Close-up of framed corner showing contrasting frame finishes in black and wood tones for finishing options.

Framed

Maps are laminated onto foam core, then secured in the frame. The engineered molding is made from recycled wood in a black or walnut finish and wraps around the entire map. Most moldings are 2″ wide by 3/4″ deep, but maps 24″ x 36″ and smaller use a 1.25″-wide molding. You can use map pins, stickers, or wet-erase markers on all our framed maps. Ready-to-hang sawtooth hardware or wire hanging loops are included.

Close-up of a framed map on a white mat with a decorative inner border, showcasing precise edges and a blue map surface from The Map Shop.

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

The map is printed on 21 mil, 2:1 poly/cotton matte canvas, then stretched over 1.5″-deep heavy wood stretcher bars. The corners are braced with additional bars, and hanging hardware is attached to the back so your piece is ready to hang.

Colorful political map of the United States with state boundaries and labels.

Pull-Down Spring Roller

Maps are printed and laminated, then attached to a metal spring roller mounted on a powder-coated steel backboard. The roller and backboard slide onto a steel bracket that mounts to your wall. A pull-down bar lets you lower the map and retract it when you're done.