Why do tectonic plates on Earth’s surface move?(1 point) Responses
The plates are surrounded by bodies of water that push the plates.
The iron blocks in Earth’s core collide and move the plates.
The heat from Earth’s core moves molten rock beneath the plates.
The pressure from the ground pushes the plates apart.
The correct answer is: The heat from Earth’s core moves molten rock beneath the plates.
The correct answer is: The heat from Earth’s core moves molten rock beneath the plates.
Tectonic plates, which make up the Earth's surface, move primarily due to the movement of the molten rock beneath them. The Earth's core is extremely hot and is made up of mainly liquid iron. The heat from the core causes the molten rock to circulate in a process called convection. This convection currents transfer heat towards the Earth's surface, causing the movement of the tectonic plates. As the molten rock rises, it pushes against the bottom of the plates, causing them to move away. At the same time, the rock that has cooled down and becomes denser sinks back into the mantle, creating a continuous cycle. This movement is called plate tectonics and explains phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains and oceanic trenches.
The correct answer is:
- The heat from Earth’s core moves molten rock beneath the plates.