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the continental plates are caused when silicon,silica and dioxid combined together making the plates split and then it causes the plates to move.

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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. :)


Are continental plates more buoyant than oceanic plates?

Yes, continental plates are more buoyant than oceanic plates because they are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are made up of less dense material such as granite, while oceanic plates are primarily composed of denser basaltic rock. This difference in density causes continental plates to float higher on the underlying mantle.


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.


Scientists think plates are moved by?

volcanos and earthquakes


Describe the mechanism of plate motion?

Plate motion is primarily driven by the process of mantle convection beneath the Earth's lithosphere. Heat from the Earth's core causes material in the mantle to move in a circular pattern, exerting forces on the tectonic plates above. This causes the plates to move, resulting in processes such as subduction, seafloor spreading, and continental drift.

Related Questions

What causes the Continental and oceani plates to move?

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


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.


Why are oceanic plates lower than continental plates?

Oceanic plates are denser and thinner than continental plates, which causes them to be lower in elevation. The denser oceanic plates are effectively pulled downward by gravity, causing them to sink beneath the less dense continental plates. This difference in density and thickness results in oceanic plates being lower than continental plates.


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.


Are continental plates more buoyant than oceanic plates?

Yes, continental plates are more buoyant than oceanic plates because they are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are made up of less dense material such as granite, while oceanic plates are primarily composed of denser basaltic rock. This difference in density causes continental plates to float higher on the underlying mantle.


What causes your plates to move?

convection currents!


What causes two continental plates to diverge?

An earth quake. This happens because the vibrations force the plates apart