What is a process involving huge blocks of Earth’s crust and upper mantle that are called tectonic plates?
Fault
Magma
Plate tectonics
Erosion
The correct answer is Plate tectonics.
The process that involves huge blocks of Earth's crust and upper mantle that are called tectonic plates is called plate tectonics.
The process involving huge blocks of Earth's crust and upper mantle that are called tectonic plates is known as plate tectonics. This theory explains how the Earth's lithosphere, which is made up of several individual plates, moves and interacts with each other.
To understand plate tectonics, you can visualize the structure of the Earth's interior. The Earth's crust is divided into several large and small sections known as tectonic plates. These plates are rigid and float on the semi-fluid layer below, called the asthenosphere. These plates are constantly moving, albeit very slowly, due to the convective currents beneath the Earth's surface.
Plate tectonics are responsible for various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activities, and the formation of mountain ranges. When two tectonic plates converge, one can be forced beneath the other in a process known as subduction, which can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs. Conversely, when two tectonic plates move apart, new crust can be formed through volcanic activity along the boundary. This process, known as seafloor spreading, results in the formation of mid-ocean ridges.
In summary, plate tectonics describes the movement and interactions of large blocks of the Earth's crust and upper mantle, which are called tectonic plates. This process plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface and is responsible for geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges.