Tectonic movements refer to the shifting and interaction of the Earth's tectonic plates, which are large sections of the Earth's crust. These movements can cause various geological events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountains. The plates can move apart, collide, or slide past each other, leading to different types of tectonic activity. The primary forces driving tectonic movements include mantle convection, gravity, and the Earth's rotation. These forces create stress along plate boundaries, resulting in seismic activity. Understanding tectonic movements is crucial for predicting natural disasters and studying the Earth's geological history.