Earth's Interior Energy Quick Check
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Question
Which statement is correct about the movement of plates that sit on top of the mantle? (1 point)
Responses
They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.
They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.
They regularly move because of the convection currents of oceans.
They regularly move because of the convection currents of oceans.
They never move because they are connected to mountains.
They never move because they are connected to mountains.
They never move because they are connected to Earth’s crust.
The correct statement is: They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.
Which is a result of boundary plates colliding or sliding past each other?
There are multiple possible results of boundary plates colliding or sliding past each other. Some examples include:
1. Earthquakes: When plates collide or slide past each other, it can often result in the release of built-up energy in the form of seismic waves, causing an earthquake.
2. Mountain formation: When plates collide, they can push against each other, causing the crust to fold and create mountain ranges.
3. Volcanic activity: Plate collisions can also lead to the formation of volcanoes. When one plate is forced beneath another in a process called subduction, it can melt and generate magma that rises to the surface, resulting in volcanic eruptions.
4. Faults: Sliding past each other along a fault line can create fractures in the Earth's crust, known as faults. These faults can be responsible for earthquakes and the formation of features like valleys or rifts.
The correct statement about the movement of plates that sit on top of the mantle is:
- They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.
To answer this question, we need to understand the concept of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell, called the lithosphere, is divided into several large and small plates that are constantly moving. These plates float on the semi-fluid layer beneath them, called the asthenosphere, which is part of Earth's mantle.
The correct statement about the movement of plates that sit on top of the mantle is:
"They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma."
The lithosphere is broken into several large and small plates, and these plates move due to the convection currents in the underlying mantle. Convection currents are circular motions of fluid, in this case, magma in the mantle. The heat from the core of the Earth causes the magma in the mantle to rise, move horizontally, then cool and sink, creating a continuous cycle of convection. This convection process drives the movement of the plates on the Earth's surface.
Therefore, the correct response is:
"They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma."