Final answer:
Tectonic plates float on Earth's mantle of moving melted rock, causing them to move.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tectonic plates move because they float on Earth's mantle of moving melted rock, which is the answer option D. The Earth's mantle is a layer of semi-solid rock that is constantly moving due to convection currents. These currents are caused by the heat from the Earth's core, which heats up the mantle and creates movement. The movement of the mantle causes the tectonic plates to also move.
Learn more about Tectonic plates