Why do Earths tectonic plates move?
Gravity pulls them to the center of the earth
They float on convection currents in the mantle
Liquid iron in the outer core causes them to move
Ocean currents near the mid ocean ridge push the plates
The correct answer is: They float on convection currents in the mantle.
The movement of Earth's tectonic plates is primarily driven by the convection currents in the mantle, which is the semi-solid layer of hot rock beneath the Earth's crust. The heat generated from the core of the Earth causes the mantle to become hot and less dense, forming convection cells. These convection cells cause the hotter, less dense material to rise towards the surface, while the cooler, denser material sinks back down. As the tectonic plates are located on the surface of the Earth, they float on top of the convecting mantle, and their motion is influenced by the movement of these convection cells.