# Puzzling Plates — Plate Tectonics is a Puzzle

> Interactive educational app about Earth's tectonic plates and geological phenomena. (iPhone/iPad app by Danny Pilkenton.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puzzling-plates/id486435632 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Danny Pilkenton](https://appshunter.io/developer/1445079601)
- Category: Education
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.2 · 153 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2011-12-09
- Data updated: 2026-07-01
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puzzling-plates/id486435632/reviews.md

## What is Puzzling Plates?

Puzzling Plates provides an interactive, engaging experience that inspires you to explore the large, tectonic plates that make up the surface of Earth.  Experience how plates fit together. Explore what happens at plate boundaries. Discover how earthquakes and volcanoes relate to plate tectonics.

The app includes three levels, each with a hands-on activity and a bonus round. In Level 1, you'll first learn how tectonic plates fit together by moving them into position like a jigsaw puzzle. Get it right on the first move or you lose points! See where earthquakes and volcanoes form on Earth's surface and explore Earth's interior in Level 2. In Level 3 you first see how plate boundaries collide and split apart and then you actually move tectonic plates in different directions to find out what type of boundary is shown.

To make learning fun, the app includes scoring when exploring these topics:
•plate tectonics
•types of plates and plate boundaries
•Earth's layered structure
•motion at plate boundaries
•causes of earthquakes and volcanoes
•maps and world geography

## Key features

- Interactive plate fitting puzzles
- Explore plate boundaries
- Learn about earthquakes and volcanoes
- Three learning levels with bonus rounds
- Scoring system for engagement
- Discover Earth's layered structure

## Recent user reviews (10 of 10)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puzzling-plates/id486435632/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Global Puzzle Fun

*2018-09-06, version 1.3*

I love this program! It’s a challenge to reunite continents while trying to remember the current shapes of landforms. Watching places migrate from the poles to the Equator really gives me an understanding of how powerful convection cells in the Mantle are. This is well worth the investment because it gives you a mental model of our dynamic Earth.

### 5/5 — Puzzling Plates

*2012-11-10, version 1.1*

I teach 5th grade science and this is exactly what I need.  Love the Interactive learning.  I start this unit next week and I hope I can persuade my school to purchase this for the school IPads too.

### 5/5 — Fun and informative

*2012-06-21, version 1.1*

My seven year old enjoys the app, as well as the 8th graders I teach. I love the bonus game that allows students to build landforms by predicting plate boundary movement.

### 3/5 — Teacher

*2012-06-13, version 1.1*

Fun app. My students will like it, but I can't get level 2 to work. How do I get that fixed?

**Developer response:** Please upgrade to the latest version.

### 5/5 — Great app for science class

*2012-04-15, version 1.1*

I downloaded this app on my students' iPads and they loved playing it.  It's difficult enough to challenge them, but they are also learning about plate tectonics.  They of course liked the game aspect to it.  I could probably use this app for a few lessons it has enough content.  Also, it's very interactive and not just text on a screen.

### 5/5 — Who knew geology could be this much fun?

*2011-12-14, version 1.0*

What a surprise! I learned about tectonics so quickly playing this fun game. Wonderful app for kids and parents.

### 5/5 — A great way to learn!

*2011-12-13, version 1.0*

A fun, hands-on approach to learning about the positions of the plates and how they interact to create earthquakes and volcanoes.

### 5/5 — Puzzling Plates

*2011-12-12, version 1.0*

A great game and an even better educational tool.  The app does an excellent job of teaching about types of geologic plates and the ways in which they interact.

### 5/5 — Puzzling Plates

*2011-12-12, version 1.0*

Tasa Graphic Arts has another winner!! This engaging, user-friendly app is a fun learning experience for a broad range of ages.  There is no more important theory in geology than plate tectonics and this goes a long way to helping learners further their understanding.  I highly recommend it.  In addition to ipad and ipod apps, this company has lots of other really outstanding educational materials in the Earth sciences--check out their web site.

### 5/5 — Puzzling Plates

*2011-12-12, version 1.0*

Puzzling Plates provides students with a fun and interactive way to apply what they have learned about Earth's tectonic plates.

I found this app to be user-friendly and engaging.

I strongly recommend it as a way for students to increase their understanding of this very important subject matter.

Ed Tarbuck

## Frequently asked questions about Puzzling Plates

### What is Puzzling Plates?

Puzzling Plates is an educational app designed to teach users about Earth's tectonic plates, plate boundaries, and related geological events like earthquakes and volcanoes through interactive puzzles and activities.

### How does Puzzling Plates teach about plate tectonics?

The app uses a jigsaw-puzzle-like mechanic for users to fit tectonic plates together, explore different plate boundary types, and understand the causes of earthquakes and volcanoes. It includes scoring to make learning fun.

### What are the learning levels in Puzzling Plates?

Puzzling Plates features three distinct levels. Level 1 focuses on fitting plates like a puzzle, Level 2 explores earthquake and volcano formation, and Level 3 involves identifying and manipulating plate boundaries.

### Is Puzzling Plates available on Android devices?

Currently, Puzzling Plates is only supported on iPad devices. It is not available for Android smartphones or tablets at this time.

### How often is Puzzling Plates updated?

The app was last updated on July 25, 2022, with version 1.3.1. This indicates a moderate update frequency, with the developer actively maintaining the application.

### What is the age rating for Puzzling Plates?

Puzzling Plates has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young children and up. The content is designed to be accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

### What do users like about Puzzling Plates?

Based on its 5.0-star rating from one review, users likely appreciate the app's interactive approach to learning complex geological concepts and its engaging puzzle mechanics.

### What is the price of Puzzling Plates?

Puzzling Plates is a paid application, available for $1.99. This one-time purchase grants access to all its features and content without further in-app purchases.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.3.1 — 2022-07-25

Fixed layout issues. Made puzzle pieces easier to place.

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## More apps by Danny Pilkenton

- [geotimescale enhanced](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/geotimescale-enhanced/id388459688)
- [Folds and Faults](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/folds-and-faults/id425380687)
- [Earthquake Finder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthquake-finder/id626877098)
- [Mineral Database](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mineral-database/id736738403)
- [African Wildlife Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/african-wildlife-puzzles/id1455484738)

All apps by Danny Pilkenton: https://appshunter.io/developer/1445079601

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-01.*