answersLogoWhite

0

Convection cells form when warm material rises, cools, and eventually sink down. This rising and sinking pattern causes the plates to move.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

What does the convection cell do to the lithosphere?

Convection in the mantle creates movement of tectonic plates, which can affect the lithosphere by causing it to move, leading to processes like subduction or seafloor spreading. The convection cells help drive the movement of the lithospheric plates on the Earth's surface.


What is convection and how does it cause plates to move?

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid, such as a liquid or gas. In the Earth's mantle, hot magma rises near the core, is cooled near the surface, and then sinks back down. This continuous cycle of rising and sinking creates convection currents that drag tectonic plates along with them, causing the plates to move.


What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?

The motion of the continental plates on Earth is primarily driven by the process of mantle convection. Heat from Earth's core causes the rock in the mantle to slowly move, creating convection currents that push and pull the plates along with them. This movement leads to the drifting and collision of the plates, shaping the Earth's surface over millions of years.


How do plates move where convection currents are sinking?

When convection currents sink near the mantle, they create drag on the lithospheric plates above. This drag causes the plates to move in the direction of the sinking current. As the plates move, they can interact with other plates, leading to processes like subduction or mountain formation.


The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement of the plates by convection cells in which layers?

The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement of plates by convection cells in the Earth's mantle. These convection cells are caused by the heat from the Earth's core, which creates movement in the semi-fluid asthenosphere layer of the mantle, leading to the movement of the rigid lithospheric plates above it.

Related Questions

How do convection cells affect the crust above it?

It will move the tectonic plates


How do convection cells affect the crust material above it?

It will move the tectonic plates


What is plates when there is an earthquake?

Tectonic plates influence earthquakes because of convection cells that move the plates around. When the plates collide, they cause a shockwave of energy released in the form of a earthquake.


Do convection current in oceans cause tectonic plates to move?

No, convection currents in the upper mantle cause tectonic plates to move.


What does the convection cell do to the lithosphere?

Convection in the mantle creates movement of tectonic plates, which can affect the lithosphere by causing it to move, leading to processes like subduction or seafloor spreading. The convection cells help drive the movement of the lithospheric plates on the Earth's surface.


What causes your plates to move?

convection currents!


What do lithospheric plate movements have to do with convection?

there is convection in the mantle. it causes the plates to move.


Which layer of the earth contains convection currents that move the tectonic plates?

The upper mantle contains convection currents that move the tectonic plates.


How do plates move where convection are sinking?

They move towards each other.


How do lithosphere plates move where convection currents rise?

They move apart.


Why do the plates move?

because of convection currents in the mantle


What are convection currents in?

They are the means by which plates of the lithoshpere move.