Why do tectonic plates on Earth’s surface move?(1 point)
Responses
The pressure from the ground pushes the plates apart.
The pressure from the ground pushes the plates apart.
The heat from Earth’s core moves molten rock beneath the plates.
The heat from Earth’s core moves molten rock beneath the plates.
The plates are surrounded by bodies of water that push the plates.
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 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 on Earth's surface move primarily due to the process of convection in the Earth's mantle. The Earth's mantle is made up of semisolid rock that behaves like a fluid over long periods of time. The heat generated from the Earth's core causes the molten rock called magma in the mantle to rise towards the surface. As the hotter magma rises, it displaces the cooler, denser rock, which begins to sink. This creates a circular motion of the magma, known as convection currents. These convection currents move the tectonic plates above them.
The movement of tectonic plates is also influenced by other factors such as gravity and the interaction with other plates. The plates can interact by moving apart (divergent boundaries), moving towards each other (convergent boundaries), or sliding past each other (transform boundaries). The forces created by these interactions, such as tension, compression, and sheer, contribute to the movement and deformation of the plates.
Scientists study the movements of tectonic plates using various methods, including global positioning systems (GPS), seismic monitoring, satellite measurements, and geological observations. By understanding the mechanisms behind plate movement, scientists can better predict and understand seismic activity, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of geological features like mountains and oceanic trenches.