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 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 regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.
They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.
They never move because they are connected to Earth’s crust.
They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.
The correct statement is: They regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.
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."
Explanation:
Plate tectonics is the theory that explains the movement and interaction of the Earth's lithospheric plates. The lithospheric plates are large, rigid pieces of the Earth's crust and upper mantle that are constantly moving due to various forces acting upon them. One of the major driving forces behind plate movement is convection currents within the underlying mantle.
Convection currents occur within the mantle due to the unequal distribution of heat. Heat from the Earth's core causes the mantle to become semi-fluid, allowing for convective flow. The hotter, less dense material rises towards the Earth's surface, while the cooler, more dense material sinks back down towards the core. This continuous circulation creates convection currents.
The movement of the convection currents in the mantle directly affects the movement of the overlying lithospheric plates. As the currents push and pull on the plates, they cause them to move, separate, collide, or slide past one another. This movement is responsible for various geological phenomena, such as the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and the creation of ocean basins.
Therefore, the statement that correctly explains the movement of plates is that they regularly move because of the convection currents of magma.