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Convection in the mantle is a process where hot, less dense material rises while cooler, denser material sinks, creating a cyclical movement. This movement generates forces that push and pull the tectonic plates on the Earth's surface. As these plates shift, they can drift apart or collide, leading to the movement of continents over geological time. This mechanism is a key driver of continental drift, explaining how landmasses have changed position throughout Earth's history.
What else can I help you with?
What cause the motion of the plates?
Radioactive decay within the deep interior of the Earth causes convection currents in the magma of the mantle. The continental plates float on top of the mantle, and the currents push them. That is why continents drift.
What will happen if convection in the mantle increased?
There is no reason to think that convection in the Earth's mantle is going to increase; indeed, I expect it to decrease over time. However, if it were to increase, the result would be an increasing number and severity of earthquakes, and faster continental drift.
What was Arthur Holmes' theory of continental drift?
Arthur Holmes was a strong advocate of Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift at a time when it was considered very controversial as there was no known mechanism which could allow this to occur. Holmes proposed that there was mantle convection allowing dissipation of heat from the core and that these convection cells could be a driving force of continental drift. This theory was ultimately incorporated into the modern understanding of sea floor spreading that occurs at mid-ocean-ridges.
What is the major source of energy for continental drift?
convection currents
What is the connection of asthenosphere in continental drift?
The asthenosphere is a semi-fluid layer of the Earth's mantle located beneath the rigid lithosphere, which includes the continental and oceanic crust. In the context of continental drift, the asthenosphere provides the necessary mobility for tectonic plates to move. This movement is driven by convection currents within the mantle, allowing continents to drift apart or collide over geological time. Thus, the asthenosphere plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of Earth's tectonic plates, supporting the theory of continental drift.
Who is the scientist who first proposed that thermal convection in the mantle causes continental drift?
Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist, proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912. He suggested that thermal convection currents in the mantle cause the movement of continents over time.
Who is the scientist who first proposed the thermal convection in the mantle causes continental drift?
Auther Holmes is the Scientist who first proposed that theral convection in the mantle causes continental drift.
What scientist who first proposed that thermal convection in the mantle causes continental drift?
Arthur Holmes who is a geologist.
What cause the motion of the plates?
Radioactive decay within the deep interior of the Earth causes convection currents in the magma of the mantle. The continental plates float on top of the mantle, and the currents push them. That is why continents drift.
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 scientist first proposed that thermal connection in the mantle causes continental drift?
Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist, proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912. He suggested that the thermal convection currents in the mantle were responsible for the movement of continents across the Earth's surface.
What was the primary force that causes the seafloor to spread and continents to drift?
The primary force driving seafloor spreading and continental drift is mantle convection. Heat from Earth's core causes the mantle to circulate, creating convection currents that move tectonic plates, leading to the spreading of the seafloor and movement of continents.
What will happen if convection in the mantle increased?
There is no reason to think that convection in the Earth's mantle is going to increase; indeed, I expect it to decrease over time. However, if it were to increase, the result would be an increasing number and severity of earthquakes, and faster continental drift.
Are convection currents important to continental drift?
Convection causes hot magma to rise towards the surface where it turns and flows parallel to the surface as it hits the crust. As the liquid rock flows beneath the crust it drags the crustal plate along and causes the continents that are on those plates to drift.
What was Arthur Holmes' theory of continental drift?
Arthur Holmes was a strong advocate of Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift at a time when it was considered very controversial as there was no known mechanism which could allow this to occur. Holmes proposed that there was mantle convection allowing dissipation of heat from the core and that these convection cells could be a driving force of continental drift. This theory was ultimately incorporated into the modern understanding of sea floor spreading that occurs at mid-ocean-ridges.
Use the word convection in a sentence?
the earth's convection currents cause continental drift.
How is continental drift related to convection?
I was unable to answer this question. :(
