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The tectonic plates move because of the great amount of liquid rock, or magma that they 'float' on and get pushed by.

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What causes continental plates to move?

Continental plates move due to the process of plate tectonics, where the plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere layer beneath them. This movement is driven by convection currents in the mantle, caused by heat from the Earth's core. When these currents push or pull on the plates, they cause them to move, leading to phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.


What is it called when two lithospheric plates move apart?

Continental Plates


Do continental plates move faster than oceanic plates?

No, oceanic plates move faster than continental plates. This is due to the density of the oceanic plates (basalt is denser). For example, the fastest moving plates are the Pacific plate, Cocos plate, and Nazca plate. All oceanic.


When two continental plates move apart?

earthquake!!!!!!


What happens in a continental plate?

the plates move apart


What causes oceanic and continental plates to move?

What causes the oceanic and continental plates to move is the mantle, which is the layer right beneath the crust. The mantle is not totally solid, so it moves, but very slowly that we can't even recognize the move.FUN FACT: Each year north america and europe are apart from each other for another 2 inches.Hope I was helpful. :)


What are tectonicsplates?

Tectonic plates.Tectonic plates are plates underneath Earth's surface that move very slowly. There are oceanic and continental plates. Of course, oceanic plates are plates under the ocean, and continental plates are plates underneath ground, or continents. Each of the plates carry the things above them, land or ocean. When two continental or oceanic plates collide, it causes a fold in Earth's surface, and an earthquake. Now, when a continental plate draws near and nearly collides with an oceanic plate, something called subduction occurs. Subduction is basically when the oceanic plate dips down below the continental plate, causing a trench.


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.


What causes your plates to move?

convection currents!


Do continental plates move constantly?

Yes, they move slowly but constantly. Faster during earthquakes.


What causes the continents to slowly move away from each other?

Continental drift is caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere, driven by convection currents in the mantle. As plates move, continents on top of them are carried along, causing them to gradually drift apart.


What causes plates to stop moving temporarily?

Friction causes plates to stop moving temporarily. The motion of the magma under the plates will cause the plates to move again.