Question

Which term describes the movement of large plates on the surface of the Earth?

1) lithosphere
2) abrasion
3) plate tectonics
4) mechanical weathering

Answer 1

The term that describes the movement of large plates on the surface of the Earth is plate tectonics,

option 3. plate tectonics is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Movement of Earth's Plates

The term that describes the movement of large plates on the surface of the Earth is plate tectonics. Tectonic plates, comprising Earth's crust and the uppermost part of the mantle known as the lithosphere, shift slowly due to mantle convection.

This movement leads to geological features such as continental drift, mountain formation, and volcanic activity. The movement rate of these plates is akin to the growth rate of our fingernails - millimeters to a few centimeters annually. These plates can engage in divergent, convergent, or transform movements at boundaries, causing significant and dramatic alterations in Earth's crust over time.