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The continental plates are continually in motion due to the convection currents. The convection currents are driven from heat generated from radioactive decay within the earth.

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Q: Why are Earth's continental plates continually in motion?
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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 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.


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.


What is the motion of earths plates?

Slow and constant.


What is tactonic plates?

PLATE TECTONICS is the study of the movement of the earths continental plates


What are plates within earths crust?

Tectonic plates which may be either oceanic or continental in nature.


The earths crust is made of rock sections called?

Continental plates.


How does the surface of the earth change when two continental plates collide?

The Earths surface changes shape when plates collide when the earths surface overlaps or when there are Earthquakes.


What is a plate tactonics?

PLATE TECTONICS is the study of the movement of the earths continental plates


What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?

convection cells in the mantle


What do earths tectonic plates do?

The plates (continental and ocean plates) ride atop the asthenosphere, a layer of viscous rock in the upper mantle beneath the crust.


Suppose you are studying the motion of one of earths plates what units would you probably use to describe its speed?

Centimeters are the proper measuring unit to describe the movement of Earth's plates known as continental drift. The tectonic plates move on average of 2.5 centimeters per year.