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Convection currents occur as hot material expands and rises, and cool material contracts and sinks, much like a conveyor belt. It is new material from the Earth's center that rises and old material that sinks. The rising material pushes old material to the side, driving the lithosphere plates apart. The sinking material causes the plates to be pushed together.

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Related Questions

Do convection current in oceans cause tectonic plates to move?

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


What part of Earths interior is inferred to have convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move?

The mantle is inferred to have convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move. Heat from within the Earth creates these currents, leading to the movement of the rigid plates on the Earth's surface.


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.


Which part of earth's interior is inferred to have convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move?

The mantle is inferred to have convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move. Heat from the Earth's core causes these currents, which transfer heat to the surface and drive the movement of the tectonic plates.


What layer of the earth has convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move?

The asthenosphere, which is a partially molten layer in the upper mantle, has convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move due to the heat-driven circulation of rock material. These convection currents are responsible for the continuous motion of tectonic plates on the Earth's surface.


What part of the earths interior is inferred to have convection currents that cause tectonic plated to move?

It is the mantle that is inferred to have convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move. Heat from the Earth's core creates these currents, which drive the movement of the rigid plates on the Earth's surface.


What causes your plates to move?

convection currents!


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

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


Why can lithosphere plates drift or move?

convection currents cause movement in the asthenosphere


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.


How do lithosphere plates move where convection currents rise?

They move apart.