Plate Tectonics Quick Check
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Question
What is most responsible for any movement in the Earth’s rock plates?(1 point)
Responses
landforms
landforms
convergent plate boundaries
convergent plate boundaries
divergent plate boundaries
divergent plate boundaries
convection currents
convection currents
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convection currents
The correct answer is convection currents.
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 broken into several large, rigid plates that float and move on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. These plates interact with each other, leading to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the creation of mountains.
Now, let's examine the options provided:
1. Landforms: While landforms are a result of plate movement, they are not responsible for the movement itself. Landforms are created when plates interact, but they are not the driving force behind plate movement.
2. Convergent plate boundaries: Convergent plate boundaries occur when two plates collide. In these instances, one plate is typically forced beneath the other in a process known as subduction. This collision and subduction can lead to the formation of mountain ranges and volcanic activity. However, the question asks for what is most responsible for any movement in the Earth's rock plates, not just the resulting landforms. So, while convergent plate boundaries are involved in plate movement, they are not the primary cause.
3. Divergent plate boundaries: Divergent plate boundaries occur when two plates move away from each other. This movement creates a gap, and magma rises to fill the void, creating new crust. This process is responsible for the formation of mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys. However, like convergent plate boundaries, divergent boundaries are a result of plate movement rather than the driving force behind it.
4. Convection currents: Convection currents in the Earth's mantle are the main driving force behind plate movement. They occur because of temperature differences within the mantle, causing hotter, less dense material to rise, while cooler, denser material sinks. This cyclical motion creates convection currents that drag the plates along and cause them to move. Therefore, the correct answer is convection currents.
In conclusion, the primary factor responsible for any movement in the Earth's rock plates is convection currents.