Final answer:
The movement of lithospheric plates is caused by convection currents in the mantle, which are driven by the heat from the Earth's core. These currents push against the denser lithosphere, causing the plates to move. The movement of the plates leads to various geological phenomena at plate boundaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movement of lithospheric plates is caused by the molten material in the mantle known as magma. The heat from the Earth's core causes the mantle to convect, creating convection currents. These currents are responsible for the movement of the plates.
As the mantle convects, it transfers heat to the bottom of the lithosphere, causing the plates to move. The convection currents push against the bottom of the lithosphere, which is denser than the hotter and less dense asthenosphere. This causes the lithospheric plates to slowly move and interact with each other at plate boundaries.
For example, at a divergent boundary where plates move apart, the upwelling of magma creates new crust, while at a convergent boundary where plates collide, the subduction of one plate beneath another is driven by the downward motion of the denser lithosphere.
Learn more about Plate Tectonics