Final Answer:
The likely movement of the plates is described by option b) The North American plate is moving east, and the Pacific plate is moving west. Thus the correct option is b.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plate tectonics is the geological theory that describes the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates. In the case of the North American and Pacific plates, they share a convergent boundary, where the North American plate is moving westward, and the Pacific plate is moving eastward. This movement is associated with subduction, where the denser oceanic Pacific plate is subducting beneath the less dense continental North American plate. As a result, the Pacific plate is moving towards the North American plate in an eastward direction, and the North American plate is moving westward relative to the Pacific plate.
This convergent movement is linked to the complex dynamics of plate boundaries, where one plate sinks beneath another due to differences in density. The movement of tectonic plates is a fundamental driver of geological processes, including the formation of mountain ranges, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. Understanding the likely movement of plates is essential for comprehending the dynamic Earth processes and the geological features associated with plate boundaries.