The process that causes tectonic plates to move is called convection currents in the Earth's mantle. The Earth's mantle is a layer of hot, viscous rock beneath the crust. Heat from the Earth's core causes this rock to move in a cyclical pattern. As the rock in the mantle heats up, it becomes less dense and rises towards the surface. Once it reaches the top, it cools down and becomes more dense, causing it to sink back down towards the core. This continuous movement of the mantle creates convection currents.
These convection currents in the mantle exert pressure on the tectonic plates above them. Tectonic plates are large rigid pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that "float" on the semi-fluid mantle. The convection currents push against these plates, and they respond by moving in different directions. This movement of the tectonic plates is referred to as plate tectonics.
So, it is the convection currents in the Earth's mantle that cause the movement of tectonic plates, leading to processes such as volcanic activity, earthquakes, mountain formation, and the shifting of continents.
What process under the crust is causing place to move? Gravity weathering in erosion convection current magnetic fields
3 answers
What process of the crust is causing plates to move? A: gravity.
B: weather in erosion
C: convection currents
D: magnetic field
B: weather in erosion
C: convection currents
D: magnetic field
The correct answer is C: convection currents. Convection currents in the Earth's mantle cause the movement of tectonic plates. The other options, gravity, weathering and erosion, and the magnetic field, do not directly cause the movement of tectonic plates.