Choose the statement that best explores what drives the processes of plate tectonics.(1 point)
Responses
Earthquakes drive the processes of plate tectonics.
Volcanoes drive the processes of plate tectonics.
The sun drives the processes of plate tectonics.
Earth’s internal energy drives the processes of plate tectonics.
Earth’s internal energy drives the processes of plate tectonics.
Earth’s internal energy drives the processes of plate tectonics.
The statement that best explores what drives the processes of plate tectonics is:
Earth's internal energy drives the processes of plate tectonics.
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the processes of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the theory that describes how Earth's outer shell, or lithosphere, is divided into several large and small plates. These plates are constantly moving and interacting with each other, leading to geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.
Earthquakes and volcanoes are indeed consequences or manifestations of plate tectonics, but they are not the driving forces behind these processes. Instead, it is Earth's internal energy that drives plate tectonics. This energy is generated within the Earth's core through the process of radioactive decay and the release of heat from the mantle. This energy creates convective currents in the asthenosphere, which lies beneath the lithosphere. These convective currents cause the lithospheric plates to move and interact with each other.
Therefore, the correct statement is that Earth's internal energy drives the processes of plate tectonics.