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The tectonic plates (the lithosphere) are made of the crust and upper brittle part of the mantle. They 'float' on the hotter and softer mantle below, which is still a solid, but can flow like plasticine (the asthenosphere)
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIn a way. But not quite.
The lithospheric plates sit atop the asthenosphere. This is a thin layer of partially molted, weaker material than the mantle. This enables the lithospheric plates to move along.
The lithospheric plates are on top because they are less dense. I don't like to use the word "float" because that implies that the mantle is molten, and it is not.
***Do not say they float on the mantle. They don't. Just say they sit on the asthenosphere.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoYes, the lithospshere is broken up into dozens of tectonic plates
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe tectonic plates are formed of the crust and solid brittle upper mantle. So it is perhaps more correct to state that the crust forms the upper part of the tectonic plates.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNo. The tectonic plates move around on top of the asthenosphere!
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoyes
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoyes
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What are tectonic plantes?
Tectonic plates are plates that float on the earths mantle. There are 8 major tectonic plates on the earth and at the joints of these many earthquakes seem to occur.
Tectonic plates float on a layer of the earth called the?
The outer layer of the earth where the land masses are is called the crust
How Do The Plates Move Of The Normal Fault?
Tectonic plates float on the magma of the Earth's mantle, and move because of convection currents in the magma.
On what layer do the crustal plates float?
The tectonic plates are floating on top of the molten rock and moving around the planet.
What do tectonic plates float on?
They are floating on the outer core
What is the Earth's plates are presently drifting on?
Tectonic Plates float on the semi-molten surface of the mantle.
Why do the plates float on the mantle?
Tectonic plates float on the mantle because they are less dense
Do the plates float on the mantle?
Tectonic plates float on the mantle because they are less dense
What do the tectonic plates float on?
The tectonic plates, part of the lithosphere, move around and float on the top of the asthenosphere.
What are tectonic plantes?
Tectonic plates are plates that float on the earths mantle. There are 8 major tectonic plates on the earth and at the joints of these many earthquakes seem to occur.
What area has huge slabs of rock that float on the mantle?
tectonic plates
What is the tectonic plates in earth's crust?
plates of the earth's crust that float on top of the molted mantle layer.
What is the name for the theory that the earth's surface is made up of slabs of rock that float on a molten mantle and liquid iron core?
You are referring to tectonic plates.
What are earth's tectonic plates?
Sections of Earth's crust that "float" over the upper mantle.
Is asthenosphere a plate boundary?
No. The asthenosphere is a ductile layer of the mantle that tectonic plates float on top of.
What do the 7 plates in the lithosphere float on?
The tectonic plates which form Earth's crust move on top of the outer layer of the mantle. This layer of the mantle is known as the asthenosphere.
Tectonic plates float on a layer of the earth called the?
The outer layer of the earth where the land masses are is called the crust
