Final answer:
Convection currents in the Earth's mantle drive the movement of the tectonic plates of the crust, causing them to move in the same direction as the convection cycle, leading to various geological events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Convection currents in the mantle affect the crust by causing the tectonic plates to move. The movement of these plates is neither random nor stationary; rather, the crust moves in the same direction as the convection cycle. This movement is responsible for various geological features and phenomena.
For example, at convergent boundaries, plates move toward each other, which can lead to the formation of mountains or volcanic activity. At divergent boundaries, the plates move apart, which can result in the creation of new crust, like that seen at the mid-ocean ridges. Transform boundaries involve plates sliding past each other, often resulting in earthquakes.