answersLogoWhite

0

Convection currents in the mantle are what causes tectonic plates to move. Uneven heating of the mantle results from radioactive decay of some long-lived isotopes in the mantle, which are not evenly distributed.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

The driving forces of tectonic plates are related to convection currents in Earth's?

mantle.


What process causes earths plates to move?

The process of 'earth plates moving' is Alfred Wageners theory of continental drift. This theory proposes that convenction currents in the earths mantle provides a 'cushion' on which the plates can move.


How is convection responsible for the arrangement of the continents on earths surface?

Convection in the Earth's mantle drives the movement of tectonic plates, which are responsible for the arrangement of continents on Earth's surface. As the mantle moves due to convection currents, it causes tectonic plates to collide, separate, or slide past each other, leading to the formation of continents as we see them today.


What happens as earths mantle drags on the bottom of techtonic plates?

As Earth's mantle drags on the bottom of tectonic plates, it creates stress and friction that can cause the plates to move. This movement can result in various tectonic activities such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges as the plates interact with each other.


Ost geologists thinks that the movement of earths plates is caused by?

Most geologists believe that the movement of the Earth's plates is caused by the process of convection currents in the mantle. These currents are driven by the heat generated from the core of the Earth, which causes the molten rock in the mantle to move in circular patterns, leading to the movement of the tectonic plates.

Related Questions

What layer are the plates on?

The worlds tectonic plates slide on the earths mantle.


Why is the earths crust always moving?

Simple- Convection in the mantle causes mantle to slowly move, and it pushes against the crust. As it does this, the tectonic plates move.


What layer are the plates sliding on?

The worlds tectonic plates slide on the earths mantle.


What causes volcanoes and earthquacks?

Volcanoes are caused by the rising of magma in the earths mantle and earthquakes are caused by the colliding of the earths tectonic plates against one another.


What drives the process of plate teconics?

Mantle convection causes the tectonic plates of the Earth to move slowly. Mantle convection is when heat moves from the mantle to the surface and causes the mantle, and the tectonic plates to move very slowly.


The driving forces to tectonic plates are related to convection currents in earths what?

mantle.


The driving forces of tectonic plates are related to convection currents in Earth's?

mantle.


What is the term for the circular of material inside earths mantle?

QuestionThe term for the circular movement of material inside earth's mantle is convection current. This current causes the movement of the tectonic plates.


How does plate tectonics affect the mantle?

Tectonic Plates float on top of the earths mantle, the earths mantle is made up liquid which is always circulating.


What causes earths changes to earths landforms?

the tectonic platesthe tectonic plates can be move to be far and near to each other


What is the the term for the circular movement of material inside earths mantle?

QuestionThe term for the circular movement of material inside earth's mantle is convection current. This current causes the movement of the tectonic plates.


What is the term for the circular movement material inside earths mantle?

QuestionThe term for the circular movement of material inside earth's mantle is convection current. This current causes the movement of the tectonic plates.