answersLogoWhite

0

Let's take this step by step:

If the tectonic plates have stopped moving, that essentially means that the convection currents in the mantle which drive continental drift have stopped.

If the convection currents have stopped, there must be a reason for the halt; this would most likely be that the heat driving convection has stopped.

If there is no heat in the earth, hotspots cannot exist --> volcanoes cannot exist --> no lava --> no igneous rocks. There's one result.

Though metamorphic rocks do require pressure AND heat, all of that takes place in the crust (lithosphere) anyway, so they would not be affected. However, there would be less of a chance for those metamorphic rocks to emerge either as lava or through plate collisions, since we're assuming neither could happen (though there's probably a way).

So the rock cycle would basically become a rock path, with sedimentary rocks turning into metamorphic rocks. The sedimentary rocks, of course, can break down through weathering and reform through compaction, so you could have a miniature, self-feeding loop going there.

But that's about all I've got for you.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

The Earth's tectonic plates are in constant motion due to several factors Temperature and density differences in the plates cause push and pull forces that move the plates?

Additionally, convection currents in the mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates. This convection occurs as molten rock rises and cools, creating a continuous cycle of movement beneath the Earth's surface.


Which geochemical cycle involves mantle convection?

The geochemical cycle that involves mantle convection is the rock cycle. Mantle convection plays a key role in the movement of tectonic plates, which influences the formation and destruction of rocks through processes like subduction and volcanic eruptions.


What phenomenon is responsible for moving sedimentary and metamorphic rock into earths interior?

Plate Tectonics.


What occurring in the mantle are thought to be the force behind plate to tonics?

The movement of tectonic plates is primarily driven by convection currents within the Earth's mantle. These currents are generated by the heat from the Earth's core, causing the mantle's semi-fluid rock to rise and cool, creating a cycle that pushes and pulls the overlying tectonic plates. Additionally, slab pull and ridge push forces contribute to the movement, with denser oceanic plates sinking at subduction zones and pushing the surrounding plates. Together, these mantle dynamics facilitate the movement of tectonic plates across the Earth's surface.


What process allows the tectonic plates to move?

You may be looking for the term continental drift, but a more accurate answer to your question is that tectonic plates can move because they float on the underlying magma, so the process that allows them to move is simply floating.

Related Questions

What is a tectonic cycle?

It is when the tectonic plates form and grow older.


How do tectonic plates get recycled?

This 'recycling' can happen at convergent plate boundaries. When two plates are moving towards each other, the plate of lower density will slip under the more dense one. The less dense plate will sink back into magma, and melt. Then, that magma under the crust leaks out at divergent boundaries, creating new crust.


The Earth's tectonic plates are in constant motion due to several factors Temperature and density differences in the plates cause push and pull forces that move the plates?

Additionally, convection currents in the mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates. This convection occurs as molten rock rises and cools, creating a continuous cycle of movement beneath the Earth's surface.


Which geochemical cycle involves mantle convection?

The geochemical cycle that involves mantle convection is the rock cycle. Mantle convection plays a key role in the movement of tectonic plates, which influences the formation and destruction of rocks through processes like subduction and volcanic eruptions.


How do tetonic plates cause natuaral disaster?

Well, tectonic plates cause natural disasters for a lot of reasons and cause many types of natural occurrences not always "disasters". 1. The first type of tectonic disaster is the tsunami "Japanese meaning big wave" which is caused when one tectonic plate is forced under the other. This can only happen under water to be a tsunami. 2. Another natural disaster is the volcano. Volcanos and mountains are formed when tectonic plates are forced against each other, but instead of going down, they both go up. An example of this is the Himalayas in Asia. The mountain range is still moving up, in fact Mt. Everest moves up at around 6 inches every year! That's way faster than Hillary Clintons chances to becoming president! 3. Another occurrence is when the plates move away from each other, this is called continental drift. You can see this in Iceland where the plates are moving away at about an inch a year. Remember when this happens new crust fills in from the bottom. The one thing that you have to remember about the plates is that they always are moving and it is one huge cycle.


Why will pangea happen again?

pangea will happen again because of the rates plates move around per year. For example, hawaii is moving towards jappen about 8.3 cm per year and Maryland is moving away from england of 1.7 cm per year. it wont be the exact shape of what it once was, it would however be a supercontinent because the process seems to be much like a cycle


What is the name for the process of recycling materials that make up the Earth's crust and mantle?

Subduction is the process of materials moving back into the earth at the boundary of tectonic plates.


Which cycle causes earthquake and volcanic activity?

The Carbon Cycles mostly causes all of it. Espicially Plate Tectonics causes most of it all by causing plates to collide,grind, and slide across each other. My number one answer would be plate tectonis, and movement.


How does the movement of tectonic plates contribute to the rock cycle?

Earths crust is made of several large tectonic plates. These plates slowly move in three ways. 2 plates may move along side each other, away from each other or toward each other. if 2 plates of equal density collide it will result in rocks being crumpled upward forming mountains. if one plate has less density then the other then the plate with more density will slide beneath the less dense plate


What phenomenon is responsible for moving sedimentary and metamorphic rock into earths interior?

Plate Tectonics.


What occurring in the mantle are thought to be the force behind plate to tonics?

The movement of tectonic plates is primarily driven by convection currents within the Earth's mantle. These currents are generated by the heat from the Earth's core, causing the mantle's semi-fluid rock to rise and cool, creating a cycle that pushes and pulls the overlying tectonic plates. Additionally, slab pull and ridge push forces contribute to the movement, with denser oceanic plates sinking at subduction zones and pushing the surrounding plates. Together, these mantle dynamics facilitate the movement of tectonic plates across the Earth's surface.


What process allows the tectonic plates to move?

You may be looking for the term continental drift, but a more accurate answer to your question is that tectonic plates can move because they float on the underlying magma, so the process that allows them to move is simply floating.