Which statement below best explains how continents move through plate tectonics?(1 point) Responses A. nuclear radiation in Earth's core; matter cools and moves upwards; then hot areas of the mantle move down A. nuclear radiation in Earth's core; matter cools and moves upwards; then hot areas of the mantle move down B. nuclear radiation in Earth's core; matter heats and moves in a spiral; then cool areas of the mantle move down B. nuclear radiation in Earth's core; matter heats and moves in a spiral; then cool areas of the mantle move down C. nuclear radiation in Earth's core; matter heats and moves upwards; then cool areas of the core also move up C. nuclear radiation in Earth's core; matter heats and moves upwards; then cool areas of the core also move up D. nuclear radiation in Earth's core; matter heats and moves upwards; then cool areas of the mantle move down

Answer 1

The statement that best explains how continents move through plate tectonics is:

D. nuclear radiation in Earth's core; matter heats and moves upwards; then cool areas of the mantle move down.

This description aligns with the theory of mantle convection, which is a driving force behind plate tectonics. As material in the mantle is heated by nuclear processes in the Earth's core, it rises, and when it cools, it sinks, creating convection currents that help move tectonic plates on the surface.