Question
What do most geologists think causes the movement of Earth's plates?
Seismic waves from earthquakes
Conduction of iron- rich rocks
Seismic waves from earthquakes
Conduction of iron- rich rocks
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Most geologists believe that the movement of Earth's tectonic plates is primarily driven by convection currents in the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath the rigid lithosphere. These convection currents are caused by the heat generated from the Earth's core and mantle, leading to the movement of material in the mantle.
While seismic waves from earthquakes can reflect the dynamics of plate movements, they do not cause the movement itself. Similarly, conduction of heat through iron-rich rocks plays a role in the overall heat transfer in the Earth but is not the primary mechanism of plate movement.
In summary, plate tectonics is largely a result of convection processes within the Earth's mantle.
While seismic waves from earthquakes can reflect the dynamics of plate movements, they do not cause the movement itself. Similarly, conduction of heat through iron-rich rocks plays a role in the overall heat transfer in the Earth but is not the primary mechanism of plate movement.
In summary, plate tectonics is largely a result of convection processes within the Earth's mantle.