Question

Which statement is correct about the movement of plates that sit on top of the mantle?

1) The movement of plates is caused by convection currents in the mantle.
2) The movement of plates is caused by the rotation of the Earth.
3) The movement of plates is caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon.
4) The movement of plates is caused by the collision of tectonic plates.

Answer 1

The movement of tectonic plates is caused by convection currents in the mantle, which involve the upward and downward flow of material providing the force needed for the plates to move and cause geological events.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about the movement of plates that sit on top of the mantle is: The movement of plates is caused by convection currents in the mantle. Tectonic plates, comprising Earth's crust and the uppermost part of the mantle (the lithosphere), move due to the slow convection of the mantle. This process involves the upward flow of warmer material and the downward sinking of cooler material, which provides the force required to move the tectonic plates.

As the plates slowly move, they engage in interactions such as diverging (moving apart), converging (moving together), or transforming (sliding past each other). These interactions cause significant geological events like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges. Plate tectonics is essential in understanding Earth's geology and serves as a mechanism for the efficient transport of heat from the interior of the planet to space.