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Plates at our planet's surface move

because of the intense heat in the

Earth's core that causes molten rock in the mantle layer to move. It moves in a pattern called a convection cell that

forms when warm material rises, cools,

and eventually sink down. As the

cooled material sinks down, it is

warmed and rises again.

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13y ago

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Related Questions

What drives the process of plate teconics?

Mantle convection causes the tectonic plates of the Earth to move slowly. Mantle convection is when heat moves from the mantle to the surface and causes the mantle, and the tectonic plates to move very slowly.


How does convection within earth create landscapes?

It moves plates and causes compression and tension as well as the movement of magma.


Do convection currents in the oceans cause tectonic plates to move?

No, convection currents in the mantle are the primary driving force behind the movement of tectonic plates. These currents are generated by heat from the Earth's core, causing movement in the mantle that in turn drags and moves the overlying tectonic plates.


How is convection in the mantle related to the movements of the tectonic plates?

Convection in the mantle drives the movement of tectonic plates. As hot material rises and cooler material sinks in the mantle, it creates circulation patterns that push and pull the overlying tectonic plates. This convection process is a key driving force behind plate tectonics and the movement of Earth's lithosphere.


What forces causes the plates to move?

The movement of tectonic plates is primarily driven by the heat and flow of mantle convection beneath the Earth's lithosphere. This convection creates currents that drag the plates along, causing them to move. Additional factors, such as ridge push and slab pull, also contribute to plate motion.


What is the driving force of plate tectonics'?

That force is caused by the convection currents in the magma below the plates.


What effect does convection currents in the upper mantle have on the crust?

Convection currents in the mantle create plate tectonics.


How is convection responsible for the arrangement of the continents on earths surface?

Convection in the Earth's mantle drives the movement of tectonic plates, which are responsible for the arrangement of continents on Earth's surface. As the mantle moves due to convection currents, it causes tectonic plates to collide, separate, or slide past each other, leading to the formation of continents as we see them today.


What type of heat transfer causes the plates to move?

Plate tectonics are primarily driven by the transfer of heat through convection currents in the Earth's mantle. Heat generated from the Earth's core creates these convection currents, which move the plates on the Earth's surface. The plates interact at their boundaries, leading to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.


Why the mantle moves?

It moves because of convection currents


What mechanism moves lithospheric plates?

The movement of lithospheric plates is primarily driven by the process of plate tectonics. This movement is caused by the heat-driven convection currents in the Earth's mantle. As these currents circulate, they drag the overlying lithospheric plates along with them, causing the plates to move over time.


What moves the earths plates?

The convection currents in the earth's mantel move the plates. For more information you can go to these websites: http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/interior/how_plates_move.html http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/the-dynamic-earth/plate-tectonics-article/