Final answer:
The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's tectonic plates move due to convection currents, gravity, and pressure. Convection currents in the mantle beneath the plates, driven by heat from the Earth's core, cause the plates to shift. Gravity causes oceanic plates to sink beneath continental plates, creating subduction zones. Pressure between plates can also cause them to buckle or shift, leading to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory of plate tectonics explains that the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates is caused by several factors. One major factor is convection currents in the fluid mantle beneath the plates. These currents are driven by the heat generated by radioactive decay in the Earth's core, causing the mantle to become less dense and rise. As the mantle rises, it moves the tectonic plates on top of it, causing them to shift.
Gravity also plays a role in the movement of the plates. The denser oceanic plates can sink beneath the lighter continental plates, creating subduction zones. This movement is driven by the force of gravity pulling the denser plate downward.
Another factor is pressure. When two plates collide or move apart, the pressure between them can build up, causing them to buckle or shift. This leads to events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges.
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