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They are the solid crustal rock floating on the top of a mantle convection cell. They formed the same way slag forms on the tops of convection cells in the molten metal in a smelter furnace. Sections of the mantle also float on the tops of convection cells in the molten metal of the liquid core.

If you want to watch the tops of some convection cells form and move, get a cup of some hot drink (e.g. coffee or tea) and let it sit undisturbed for a minute or so to let all currents but convection currents stop. When you look at the surface of the hot drink it will be covered in very tiny polygons. These polygons are the tops of convection cells in the drink, don't they look something like a miniature map of crustal plates? Watch as they expand, contract, and move about.

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14y ago

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