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The driving force of tectonics is primarily the heat from the Earth's interior, which generates convection currents in the mantle. These currents cause the tectonic plates to move and interact at their boundaries, leading to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. Additionally, gravity plays a role in driving plate motion through processes like slab pull and ridge push. Together, these forces shape the Earth's surface over geological time.

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What is the circular motion of heated materials thought to be driving force of plate tectonics?

The circular motion of heated materials in the Earth's mantle is thought to be the driving force behind plate tectonics. This convection current in the mantle causes plates on the Earth's surface to move and interact with each other, leading to processes like seafloor spreading, subduction, and continental drift.


In addition to plate tectonics what is the other main driving force of the rock cycle?

Water flow


What theory describes the motion of the force driving the Earth's plates?

The theory that describes the motion of the force driving the Earth's plates is called plate tectonics. It explains how the lithosphere is divided into several large, rigid plates that move over the asthenosphere due to the motion of convection currents in the mantle. This movement causes interactions at plate boundaries, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountains.


What is the effect on a plate when slab sinks?

The slab sinks faster and this pulls on the rest of the plate, continuing plate tectonics. Mantle convection creates the instability that allows plate tectonics to get going and helps a little, but it's not thought to be the main driving force.


Could it be the marine currents a driving force behind plates tectonics?

No. For one thing, the ocean currents do not match up with the movements of plates. Second, the force behind those currents is not enough to drive plate movements.


Force that squeezes rocks together?

Plate Tectonics


What are the mechanisms driving plate tectonics?

blah blah blah blah


What is the driving force for seafloor spreading?

The driving force for seafloor spreading is the movement of tectonic plates. As magma rises from the mantle to the surface at mid-ocean ridges, it creates new oceanic crust which pushes the existing plates apart, causing seafloor spreading. This process is part of the larger theory of plate tectonics.


What is the driving force for the movement of the lithosphere plates?

The driving force for the movement of lithospheric plates is convection currents in the mantle. Heat from the Earth's core causes the mantle material to rise, cool, and sink, creating a cycle of circulating currents that move the rigid lithospheric plates above them. This convection process is the main mechanism driving plate tectonics.


Are convection currents related to plate tectonics?

A version of convection currents, occurring in the mantle, is thought to be the force behind plate tectonics.


What is the force that broke up the super continent?

It is known as Plate Tectonics.


One theory for the driving force for plate tectonics is what?

One prominent theory for the driving force of plate tectonics is mantle convection. This theory suggests that the heat from the Earth's interior causes the mantle to flow slowly, creating convection currents. These currents can push and pull tectonic plates, leading to their movement. Other contributing factors include slab pull, where denser oceanic plates sink into the mantle, and ridge push, resulting from the formation of new crust at mid-ocean ridges.