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convection cells in the mantle

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Why are Earth's continental plates continually in motion?

Earth's continental plates are in motion due to the movement of molten rock in the Earth's mantle. This movement, known as mantle convection, transfers heat and creates the forces that push and pull the plates in different directions, causing them to move across the surface of the Earth. The continuous motion of the plates is driven by the Earth's internal heat and the resulting convection currents in the mantle.


What is the thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by what?

The thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by the movement of molten rock in the mantle. Heat from Earth's core causes the mantle to circulate in a convection current, which in turn drags the overlying tectonic plates along with it, driving plate motion.


What two crusts do plate tectonics have?

The Earth's lithosphere is divided into two types of crust: continental crust, which is thicker and less dense, and oceanic crust, which is thinner and more dense. The movement of these two types of crust against each other is what drives the process of plate tectonics on Earth.


What two types of plates make up the earth?

The two main types of plates that make up the Earth's lithosphere are oceanic plates, which are denser and thinner, and continental plates, which are less dense and thicker. These plates interact with each other at their boundaries, causing movements such as subduction, spreading, and collisions that shape the Earth's surface.


What process drives the lithospheric plates across the surface of earth?

The process that drives the movement of lithospheric plates across the surface of the Earth is called plate tectonics. This movement is mainly driven by the heat generated from radioactive decay in the Earth's interior, which creates convection currents in the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath the lithosphere. These convection currents cause the lithospheric plates to move, leading to phenomena like seafloor spreading, subduction, and continental drift.

Related Questions

How does the motion of the tectonic plates relate to continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


How does motion of tectonic plates relate to continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


How does the motion of tectonic plates relate continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


Why are Earth's continental plates continually in motion?

Earth's continental plates are in motion due to the movement of molten rock in the Earth's mantle. This movement, known as mantle convection, transfers heat and creates the forces that push and pull the plates in different directions, causing them to move across the surface of the Earth. The continuous motion of the plates is driven by the Earth's internal heat and the resulting convection currents in the mantle.


What layer of the earth drives the tectonic plates into motion?

All layers of the Earth are moving, in some fashion.


What keeps Earth in motion?

plates keep earth in motion


What layer of the earth makes up the continental plates?

The continental lithosphere.


Which kind of earth's plates is heavier and which is lighter?

Oceanic plates are heavier than continental plates because they are denser and thinner. Continental plates are lighter because they are less dense and thicker. The difference in density and composition accounts for the varying weights of the Earth's plates.


Where was the continental drift?

Continental drift occurs under the earths crust by convection currents in the mantle which drives the plates. It has been happening since the development of the earths core and is happening now and until the end of the earth.


What is the thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by what?

The thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by the movement of molten rock in the mantle. Heat from Earth's core causes the mantle to circulate in a convection current, which in turn drags the overlying tectonic plates along with it, driving plate motion.


What drives the slow movement of the plates and the convection?

Mantle convection is the slow creeping motion of Earth's rocky mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior of the earth to the surface. It is the driving force that causes tectonic plates to move around the Earth's surface.


What type of current drives earth's plates?

They are convection currents in the earth's mantle.