Answer:
Figure A depicts the process of convection in the Earth's mantle, which plays a significant role in the formation of mountains and the temperature on the surface (ground). Convection refers to the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid or gas. In the mantle, the heat generated from the Earth's core causes the material to become less dense and rise to the surface. As it reaches the surface, it cools down, becomes denser, and sinks back down towards the core. This continuous cycle of rising and sinking material is known as convection.
This convection process affects the formation of mountains in two ways. First, as the less dense material rises towards the surface, it pushes and uplifts the crust, resulting in the formation of mountains. Second, the sinking of denser material creates downward forces, which can also cause the crust to fold and uplift, leading to mountain formation.
Convection also has an impact on the temperature on the Earth's surface. As the mantle material rises and reaches the surface, it transfers heat to the surrounding rocks and the atmosphere. This heat transfer can lead to an increase in temperature on the surface. Additionally, the sinking material in the mantle can remove heat from the surface, resulting in a cooling effect.
The movement of tectonic plates is closely linked to convection currents. The convection currents in the mantle act as a driving force that pushes and pulls the tectonic plates. The less dense material rising from the mantle causes the plates to move apart, creating divergent boundaries, such as mid-ocean ridges. On the other hand, the sinking of denser material leads to the convergence of plates, forming subduction zones where one plate slides beneath another.
The interrelation between convection in the Earth's interior and conduction on the surface affects the temperature in our atmosphere. Convection in the mantle transfers heat to the surface through conduction. As the material reaches the surface, it heats the rocks and the air directly in contact with it, leading to an increase in atmospheric temperature.
Subduction, which is the process of one tectonic plate sliding beneath another, plays a crucial role in the formation of land masses like mountains and volcanoes. When an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate, it can cause the overlying crust to deform and uplift, resulting in the formation of mountain ranges. Subduction can also lead to the melting of the subducting plate, creating magma that rises to the surface and forms volcanoes.
Earthquakes occur in subduction zones due to the intense forces and interactions between tectonic plates. As the subducting plate slides beneath the other plate, stress builds up along the plate boundaries. When this stress is released suddenly, it causes vibrations or seismic waves, resulting in an earthquake.
In synthesis, convection and conduction are interrelated in the Earth's system. Convection in the mantle drives the movement of tectonic plates, which in turn affects the formation of mountains and volcanoes. The heat transfer through convection and conduction influences the temperature in the Earth's atmosphere and plays a significant role in shaping the Earth's dynamic processes.
: