Where do convection currents happen?(1 point) Responses core core crust crust mantle mantle inner core

mantle

Convection currents primarily occur in two layers of the Earth: the mantle and the outer core.

1. Mantle: The convection currents in the mantle are responsible for the movement of tectonic plates. The mantle is located between the crust and the outer core, and it is the thickest layer of the Earth. Heat from the Earth's core causes the material in the mantle to become less dense and rise towards the surface. As it reaches the colder surface layers, it cools, becomes denser, and sinks back down. This continuous process of heating, rising, cooling, and sinking creates the convection currents in the mantle.

2. Outer Core: In the outer core, mainly consisting of liquid iron, heat is generated by the radioactive decay of elements, residual heat from the formation of the Earth, and heat released by the inner core. The heat causes circulation of the liquid iron, which creates convection currents. These convection currents are a driving force behind the Earth's magnetic field.

Convection currents occur primarily within the mantle of the Earth. To understand this, we can break it down into several steps.

1. The Earth's interior is composed of several layers: the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust.

2. The mantle is the layer located between the Earth's crust and the outer core. It is mostly solid rock but has a small portion that is capable of flowing over extremely long periods of time.

3. Convection currents in the mantle are driven by the transfer of heat from the Earth's core. The high temperatures at the core cause the rocks in the mantle to become hotter and less dense.

4. As the hot rocks rise, they create upward convection currents. These currents move towards the Earth's surface and eventually cool down, becoming denser.

5. Once cooled, the denser rocks sink back towards the core, completing the cycle.

Overall, convection currents in the mantle help drive the movement of tectonic plates and play a significant role in shaping the Earth's surface through processes like plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and earthquakes.