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movement of large sections of Earth's crust :) . _ NovaNET

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Are plate tectonics caused by convection currents in the mantle?

That is the current theory of plate tectonics.


How convection currents are related to plate tectonics?

Because convection currents is the heating rising cooling process and if the crust and part of the upper mantle wasn't divided into sections the heated material couldn't rise up. ="overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;border:mediumnone">


How does convection current relate to plate tectonics?

Convection currents in the mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates by transferring heat and causing the plates to move across the Earth's surface. As the hot mantle material rises and the cooler material sinks, it creates a circular motion that drives the lateral movement of tectonic plates. This process is known as mantle convection, which plays a significant role in the theory of plate tectonics.


Theory that pieces of earths lithosphere are in constant motion driven by convection currents in the mantle?

This is the theory of plate tectonics. It states that Earth's lithosphere is divided into several plates, which move and interact with each other on the underlying semi-fluid asthenosphere due to the convection currents in the mantle. This movement causes various geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.


What is true about convection in Earth's mantle and tectonic plate motion?

Within the earth's mantle, which is semi-molten, there are convection currents caused by differences in temperature. These currents apply force from beneath to the plates of the earth's crust. The plates move slightly, which causes the very slow change in the shapes of our continents and oceans (and also causes occasional earthquakes).All of this is true about convection currents, however there is significant dispute as to whether the tectonic plates are actually moved by convection currents. It could equally be true that "There are no convection currents in the Earth's mantle". Although is is the best theory going, there has been insufficient evidence that these currents actually exist. Alternative theories include:Continental drag: As a plate is subducted beneath another, the weight of the sinking end pulls the rest of the plate with it. This causes continental drift. The biggest flaw is that not all plates even have destructive boundaries.Hotspots: Hotspots themselves are responsible for continental drift (a similar sort of idea to convection currents, but we do know that hotspots exist). The biggest flaw is that not all plates have a hotspot on them.

Related Questions

What is geological theory called that states that pieces of earth crust are in slow motion is called what?

Convection currents.


Why is the asthenosphere important to the theory of plate tectonics?

It is the movement of ductile rock in the asthenosphere caused by convection currents that creates movement of the lithospheric plates. It is the conveyor belt on which the plates move.


Are plate tectonics caused by convection currents in the mantle?

That is the current theory of plate tectonics.


Why is the asthenosphere so important to the theory of plate tectonic?

It is the movement of ductile rock in the asthenosphere caused by convection currents that creates movement of the lithospheric plates. It is the conveyor belt on which the plates move.


How convection currents are related to plate tectonics?

Because convection currents is the heating rising cooling process and if the crust and part of the upper mantle wasn't divided into sections the heated material couldn't rise up. ="overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;border:mediumnone">


One theory for the driving force for plate tectonics is what?

One prominent theory for the driving force of plate tectonics is mantle convection. This theory suggests that the heat from the Earth's interior causes the mantle to flow slowly, creating convection currents. These currents can push and pull tectonic plates, leading to their movement. Other contributing factors include slab pull, where denser oceanic plates sink into the mantle, and ridge push, resulting from the formation of new crust at mid-ocean ridges.


How does convection current relate to plate tectonics?

Convection currents in the mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates by transferring heat and causing the plates to move across the Earth's surface. As the hot mantle material rises and the cooler material sinks, it creates a circular motion that drives the lateral movement of tectonic plates. This process is known as mantle convection, which plays a significant role in the theory of plate tectonics.


What states that the earths lithoshere is broken into huge moving slabs of rock driven by motions in the mantle?

The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large plates that move over the semi-fluid asthenosphere of the mantle. The motion of these plates is primarily driven by convection currents in the mantle.


Theory that pieces of earths lithosphere are in constant motion driven by convection currents in the mantle?

This is the theory of plate tectonics. It states that Earth's lithosphere is divided into several plates, which move and interact with each other on the underlying semi-fluid asthenosphere due to the convection currents in the mantle. This movement causes various geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.


What energy supply is needed to move huge pieces of Earth in the theory of Continental Drift.?

The plates of the earth's crust move as a result of huge convection currents within the mantle of the earth. These convection currents are caused by areas of different temperatures deep beneath the earth. The heat within the earth comes from radioactive decay and leftover heat from the earth's formation.


Are plate tectonics in the crust?

Plate Tectonics is not a physical object, it is the theory that there are multiple plates and that convection currents under the crust are moving them at speeds of mere millimeters every hundred thousand years.


How does convection move tectonic plates?

Convection cells are lava underneath the surface of the earth that moves in a circular motion! When the lava gets closer to the centre of the earth, because heat rises, it goes upwards in a circular motion. Then it's further away from the heat so it cools down, and cool air sinks, so it goes down! The process is completed and this is called a convection cell this repeats everyday under the surface!