What process under the crust is causing place to move? Gravity weathering in erosion convection current magnetic fields
The process that causes tectonic plates to move is called convection currents in the Earth's mantle. The Earth's mantle is a layer of hot, viscous rock beneath the crust. Heat from the Earth's core causes this rock to move in a cyclical pattern. As the rock in the mantle heats up, it becomes less dense and rises towards the surface. Once it reaches the top, it cools down and becomes more dense, causing it to sink back down towards the core. This continuous movement of the mantle creates convection currents.
These convection currents in the mantle exert pressure on the tectonic plates above them. Tectonic plates are large rigid pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that "float" on the semi-fluid mantle. The convection currents push against these plates, and they respond by moving in different directions. This movement of the tectonic plates is referred to as plate tectonics.
So, it is the convection currents in the Earth's mantle that cause the movement of tectonic plates, leading to processes such as volcanic activity, earthquakes, mountain formation, and the shifting of continents.
What process of the crust is causing plates to move? A: gravity.
B: weather in erosion
C: convection currents
D: magnetic field
The correct answer is C: convection currents. Convection currents in the Earth's mantle cause the movement of tectonic plates. The other options, gravity, weathering and erosion, and the magnetic field, do not directly cause the movement of tectonic plates.
The process under the crust that causes the plates to move is known as convection currents. Here is a step-by-step explanation:
1. Convection currents begin in the Earth's mantle, which is a layer beneath the crust that extends about 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) deep.
2. The mantle is semi-fluid and consists of hot, molten rock called magma. The heat from the Earth's core causes the magma to circulate in a cyclical pattern.
3. The heat from the core causes the magma to rise towards the surface. As it reaches the top, it begins to cool and becomes denser.
4. The denser, cooler magma sinks back down towards the core. This sinking motion is the driving force behind the convection currents.
5. The sinking magma exerts a force on the rigid outer layer of the Earth, known as the lithosphere, which is made up of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.
6. The lithosphere is divided into several large and smaller plates that float on top of the semi-fluid mantle.
7. The movement of the convection currents drags the lithospheric plates along with them. This movement can occur in different ways, such as plates moving apart (divergent boundaries), colliding into each other (convergent boundaries), or sliding past each other (transform boundaries).
8. The movement of the plates can result in a variety of geological events, such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.
In conclusion, it is the convection currents in the Earth's mantle that cause the movement of tectonic plates, resulting in the dynamic nature of Earth's surface.