Final answer:
Plate tectonics is the process by which plates move. The movement of plates results in various geological features and the recycling of the Earth's crust.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which plates move is known as plate tectonics. The Earth's crust is divided into several large plates that rest on the semi-fluid layer known as the asthenosphere. These plates can move apart, collide or slide past each other due to the convection currents in the mantle. This movement of plates is responsible for various geological features like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.
When two plates collide, one plate may be forced beneath the other in a process called subduction. As the subducting plate sinks deeper into the mantle, it heats up and causes the overlying crust to melt. This melted crust eventually rises back up to the surface through volcanoes, forming new rocks and recycling the older crust.
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