The South American Plate is a tectonic plate that covers the continent of South America and part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by several other plates, including the Nazca Plate to the west, which is responsible for the Andes mountain range's formation due to subduction. The plate is primarily composed of continental crust, making it thicker and less dense than oceanic crust. This plate is also significant for its role in geological activity, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The movement of the South American Plate affects the surrounding regions, influencing the geology of neighboring plates like the Caribbean Plate and the African Plate.