What natural process occurring in the semi-solid Asthenosphere causes the Lithospheric Plates to break apart and move?
Gravity
Continental Drift
Uneven heating of the Earth from the sun
Convection Currents
Plzz respond
The correct answer to the question is "convection currents." Convection currents in the semi-solid layer of the Earth called the Asthenosphere play a significant role in breaking apart and moving the lithospheric plates. Here's an explanation on how convection currents work in this context:
1. The Asthenosphere, located beneath the rigid lithospheric plates, is semi-solid and behaves like a slow-moving, plastic material due to high temperatures and pressure.
2. The heat generated from the Earth's core and the radioactive decay of elements within the mantle causes the Asthenosphere to warm up.
3. As the Asthenosphere warms up, it becomes less dense and starts to rise towards the Earth's surface.
4. As the warmer, less dense material rises, it creates convection currents within the Asthenosphere.
5. Near the Earth's surface, the Asthenosphere cools down, becomes more dense, and starts to sink back towards the core.
6. This sinking motion of the cooler, denser material completes the convection cycle.
7. The movement of the Asthenosphere due to convection currents exerts a force on the overlying lithospheric plates, causing them to break apart and move.
8. This movement of the lithospheric plates is known as plate tectonics, which leads to phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the drifting of continents (continental drift).
Therefore, the correct answer is convection currents.