What does the theory of plate tectonics state about the earth's surface

very thick compared to the mantle

broken into many pieces

mostly covered in water

one solid piece

The second one, broken into many pieces

The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's surface is broken into many pieces.

Explanation:

The plates represent a hard shell protecting the mantle which is a more liquid and fluid layer of the Earth. When looking at the thickness of the plates they are thinner than the mantle. Although most of the plates are covered in water it is the fact that there are many pieces what explains the shifts in the surface's location and also the collision between plates what causes earthquakes.