Correct Option
The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The theory of Plate Tectonics states that the Earth's outer shell, known as the lithosphere, is divided into several rigid slabs called tectonic plates. These plates move over the semi-fluid asthenosphere due to convection currents in the mantle.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Earth's plates are composed of the lithosphere, which includes the crust and the uppermost solid part of the mantle. They are not found in the outer core. The outer core is a liquid layer composed primarily of iron and nickel, located deep beneath the mantle, far below the tectonic plates.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The Indian Plate is a major tectonic plate straddling the equator in the eastern hemisphere. It is currently moving northwards at a rate of approximately 5 cm per year and colliding with the Eurasian Plate, a process responsible for the formation and rising height of the Himalayas.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect. Plate boundaries are the zones where tectonic plates interact (converge, diverge, or slide past each other). These areas are geologically unstable and are the primary sites for earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. They are not safe zones.
Key Takeaway: Tectonic plates are fragments of the lithosphere (crust and upper mantle) that move over the asthenosphere; their boundaries are zones of high geological activity, including seismicity and volcanism.