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That's the phenomenon of Plate Tectonics part of which is Continental Drift. Very important when understanding geological events.

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Are most volcanoes on land caused by the earths plates moving away from each other or moving toward each other?

Most volcanoes on land are caused by the Earth's plates moving toward each other, a process known as convergent plate boundary. When two plates converge, the denser oceanic plate subducts beneath the less dense continental plate, leading to the formation of volcanoes along the subduction zone.


What are two plates moving away known as?

Divergent plates


What is the theory that the earths surface is moving plates?

The theory that the Earth's surface is composed of moving plates is known as plate tectonics. This theory posits that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large, rigid plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath. These tectonic plates constantly interact with one another, leading to geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains. The movement of these plates is driven by forces such as mantle convection, slab pull, and ridge push.


What is earths axis slowly but continuously points in different directions known as?

I think you are referring to a phenomenon called Nutation.


What can be found directly under the plates of the earths crust?

The Earth's tectonic plates lay on top of the outer layer of the mantle. This layer is known as the asthenosphere.


What is the theory that earths surface is divided into more than 12 slow moving plates?

The theory that Earth's surface is divided into more than 12 slow-moving plates is known as plate tectonics. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them, and their movement is responsible for various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. The interactions between these plates at their boundaries shape the Earth's surface over geological timescales.


Plates beneath the earths crust are located where?

Plates beneath the Earth's crust are located in the upper part of the mantle, known as the lithosphere. These plates are constantly moving and interacting with each other, causing geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.


Earths lithosphere is broken into huge moving slabs of rock driven by motions in the mantle?

These slabs, known as tectonic plates, interact at plate boundaries leading to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation. The movement of these plates is a result of the convection currents in the semi-fluid asthenosphere below.


What is the moving portion of earths crust and upper mantle?

The moving portion of Earth's crust and upper mantle is known as the lithosphere. It is broken into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below, causing them to move and interact with each other, which leads to processes like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.


In science what are breaks between plates known as?

Breaks between plates are known as plate boundaries. These boundaries can be divergent (moving apart), convergent (coming together), or transform (sliding past each other). Plate boundaries are dynamic areas where tectonic activity, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, is common.


What do geologists think causes earths plates to move?

The movement of the Earth's plates is known as plate tectonics. Geologists think the plates move due to a build up of extreme heat in the Earth's crust.


What are Underwater mountain ranges where plates of the earths crust are moving away from each other?

Underwater mountain ranges formed by tectonic plates moving apart are known as mid-ocean ridges. These geological features occur at divergent plate boundaries, where magma rises from the mantle to create new oceanic crust as the plates separate. This process not only forms the ridges but also leads to volcanic activity and the formation of new seafloor. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is one of the most well-known examples of such underwater mountain ranges.