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The earth's tectonic plates are said to "float" on layers of magma, which is molten, or very hot liquid rock deep under the surface of theearth.

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According to the theory of plate tectonics on which layer of Earth do plates float?

These plates make up the top layer of the Earth called the lithosphere. Directly under that layer is the asthenosphere. It's a flowing area of molten rock.


What is the theory that Earth's crust and upper mantle are broken into plates that float around and move on a plastic like layer of the mantle?

The theory is called plate tectonics. It explains how the Earth's lithosphere is broken into plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them, causing them to move around and interact at their boundaries, leading to phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation.


What is the theory that earths surface is made of movable plates?

The theory is called plate tectonics, which suggests that Earth's outer layer, known as the lithosphere, is divided into several large plates that float on the semi-fluid layer underneath, called the asthenosphere. These plates interact at their boundaries, leading to various geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building.


What layer of the earth do the continents move on?

The continents move on the lithosphere, which is the outermost layer of the Earth. This layer consists of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. The movement of the continents is known as plate tectonics.


Which of earth's layers contains soft areas on which plates float?

The lithosphere, which is part of Earth's outermost layer, contains soft areas called asthenosphere. The plates of the Earth's crust float and move on the semi-fluid asthenosphere layer, which allows for plate tectonics to occur.

Related Questions

Which layer of the Earth is made up of plate tectonics?

The lithosphere layer of the Earth is made up of plate tectonics. This layer consists of the Earth's crust and the upper part of the mantle and is broken into several large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below, creating the movement of plate tectonics.


According to the theory of plate tectonics on which layer of Earth do plates float?

These plates make up the top layer of the Earth called the lithosphere. Directly under that layer is the asthenosphere. It's a flowing area of molten rock.


How many plate tectonics is earth broken up into that float?

7


What layer of Earth makes up plate tectonics?

The crust


What is the plates that floating on the upper layer of the earth's mantle?

The plates that float on the upper layer of the Earth's mantle are called tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving, causing phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic activity. The movement of these plates is known as plate tectonics.


What are the huge sections of the earth's crust that move called?

The huge sections of the Earth's crust that move are called tectonic plates. These plates float on the semi-fluid layer beneath them, known as the asthenosphere, and their movements contribute to processes like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain formation.


What are the plate in plate tectonics?

The theory of plate tectonics explains large scale motion of the earth's lithosphere. Tectonic plates are rigid slabs of the earth's lithosphere (crust and upper mantle) in which float and move with the continents they carry.


What is the theory that Earth's crust and upper mantle are broken into plates that float around and move on a plastic like layer of the mantle?

The theory is called plate tectonics. It explains how the Earth's lithosphere is broken into plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them, causing them to move around and interact at their boundaries, leading to phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation.


Does mars have a asthenosphere?

Mars does not have an asthenosphere like Earth. The asthenosphere is a layer in Earth's upper mantle that is semi-fluid and allows for plate tectonics to occur. Mars does not have active plate tectonics, so it does not have a comparable asthenosphere.


What type of plate boundary is asthenosphere?

The asthenosphere is not a plate boundary. It is the layer of Earth's mantle on which tectonic plates float.


What layer of the earth do the continents move on?

The continents move on the lithosphere, which is the outermost layer of the Earth. This layer consists of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. The movement of the continents is known as plate tectonics.


What is the theory that earths surface is made of movable plates?

The theory is called plate tectonics, which suggests that Earth's outer layer, known as the lithosphere, is divided into several large plates that float on the semi-fluid layer underneath, called the asthenosphere. These plates interact at their boundaries, leading to various geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building.