0
Tectonic plates are composed of the crust and upper mantle rock which is lighter than the more dense mantle. Rising and falling convection currents in the mantle cause imperceptibly slow movements in the plates (on the rate of fingernail growth). The source of the heat driving the convection currents comes from residual heat from the Earth's formative processes, pressure from gravity, and from radioactive decay of elements.there is also something called the slab-pull force. This occurs when a more dense oceanic plate subducts under a less dense plate and pulls the rest of the plate along. The subducting plate drives the downward-moving portion of convection currents.
Daryl Kemmer
Wiki User
∙ 12y agotectonics movement is due to constant variation in temperature of inner crest.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What are the large thin plates that move relative to one another on the outer surface of earth called?
They are called tectonic or lithospheric plates.
Does the tectonic plates move about?
yes the plates can move slowly
How can tectonic plates move thousands of miles?
Tectonic plates move thousands of miles because they are not anchored down.
What are the plates move around the earth?
tectonic plates
What do tectonic plates do at a divergent plate boundary?
At a divergent boundary tectonic plates move apart.
I am part of lithosphere but you move around on top of the asthenosphere?
The answer is Tectonic Plates
Does magnetism make the tectonic plates move?
No(see the explanation of the question "Why do the tectonic plates move?"
What are the large thin plates that move relative to one another on the outer surface of earth called?
They are called tectonic or lithospheric plates.
Does the tectonic plates move about?
yes the plates can move slowly
How can tectonic plates move thousands of miles?
Tectonic plates move thousands of miles because they are not anchored down.
In what direction do tectonic plates go?
Tectonic plates move from east to west as a whole due to the coreolis (not sure of spelling) effect.
What are the plates that move and the lithosphere is made of them?
tectonic plates
What are the plates move around the earth?
tectonic plates
What is the point where the tectonic plates move causing an earthquake?
earthquake zone or in the boundry of tectonic plates
What is stresses in tectonic plates?
Magma moving underneath the earth causes tectonic plates to move about.
What do tectonic plates do at a divergent plate boundary?
At a divergent boundary tectonic plates move apart.
What is the difference between Continental plates and Tectonic plates?
Continental plates are tectonic plates. They are tectonic plates upon which continents rest, and they move as do all tectonic plates. Basically, there is no difference, other than the fact that oceanic plates are another type of tectonic plate.
