Because it is exposed to high temperature, but not enough to melt it.
Because the Asthenosphere is malleable, divergent boundaries and convergent boundaries are formed. The plasticity of the Asthenosphere allows the plates to move through sea floor spreading and subduction zones.
Plasticity and convection occur in the asthenosphere, which is part of the upper mantle. The asthenosphere is a semi-molten layer below the lithosphere where rock can flow slowly over long periods of time. Convection within the asthenosphere is driven by heat from the Earth's core, causing movement of material in the mantle.
The lithosphere is the crust Moho and upper mantle. It floats on a plasticity zone called the asthenosphere.
The basic answer is the Mantle, but, really, it's the only very uppermost part of the Mantle that encounters plasticity and convection--when relating to tectonic plate movement, at least. The Asthenosphere is the fluid layer on with plates move across the surface of the earth, being pulled apart (Diverging) or colliding together (Converging). The Asthenosphere is what drives convection and in a very similar way, subduction. Like the person above said, if your teacher/professor hasn't said the word Asthenosphere, then the answer he/she is looking for here is the Mantle, or Upper Mantle. I'd go with Upper Mantle to be safe.
The asthenosphere consists of partially-melted, ductile rock that is composed mainly of silicate minerals such as olivine and pyroxene. It also contains small amounts of water and other volatiles which contribute to its plasticity and ability to flow.
While still solid, the asthenosphere is able to flow. The ability of a solid to flow is called plasticity. See "What's the matter?" for an activity to demonstrate plasticity. Since the asthenosphere is more liquid than the rest of the mantle, the broken lithosphere plates are able to "float" on it.
Because the Asthenosphere is malleable, divergent boundaries and convergent boundaries are formed. The plasticity of the Asthenosphere allows the plates to move through sea floor spreading and subduction zones.
Plasticity means that there is enough movement in the asthenosphere to allow thelithospheric plates to move.
Plasticity means that there is enough movement in the asthenosphere to allow thelithospheric plates to move.
The asthenosphere lies beneath the lithosphere, which is where the tectonic plates lie. Because of the high temperature, the asthenosphere has the property to flow (plasticity); the tectonic plates "float" on this flow.
The asthenosphere is very hot. This layer is said to have plasticity because it is hot, soft, and can flow.
The asthenosphere, a layer of the upper mantle beneath the lithosphere, exhibits plasticity due to high temperatures and pressures. This property allows the asthenosphere to flow slowly over geological timescales and is responsible for the movement of tectonic plates.
Plasticity and convection occur in the asthenosphere, which is part of the upper mantle. The asthenosphere is a semi-molten layer below the lithosphere where rock can flow slowly over long periods of time. Convection within the asthenosphere is driven by heat from the Earth's core, causing movement of material in the mantle.
The lithosphere is the crust Moho and upper mantle. It floats on a plasticity zone called the asthenosphere.
The basic answer is the Mantle, but, really, it's the only very uppermost part of the Mantle that encounters plasticity and convection--when relating to tectonic plate movement, at least. The Asthenosphere is the fluid layer on with plates move across the surface of the earth, being pulled apart (Diverging) or colliding together (Converging). The Asthenosphere is what drives convection and in a very similar way, subduction. Like the person above said, if your teacher/professor hasn't said the word Asthenosphere, then the answer he/she is looking for here is the Mantle, or Upper Mantle. I'd go with Upper Mantle to be safe.
The asthenosphere is a semi-fluid layer located beneath the lithosphere of the Earth's crust. It is responsible for the movement of tectonic plates due to its plasticity. The asthenosphere is composed of hot, partially molten rock that allows for convection currents to occur, driving plate tectonics.
The asthenosphere is partially molten and has a lower viscosity compared to the lithosphere above it. This low viscosity allows the lithosphere plates to move and glide over the asthenosphere. The plasticity of the asthenosphere enables convection currents to occur, which in turn can drive the movement of the lithosphere plates.