Question

The surface of the Earth is made of several tectonic plates that move at a very slow rate. What causes the plates to move?

a. explosions within the Earth's mantle
b. convection currents within the Earth's mantle
c. expansion of the Earth's core pushing on the tectonic plates
d. contraction of the Earth's core pulling on the tectonic plates

Answer 1

Answer: B Convection currents

Step-by-step explanation:

The Earth’s tectonic plates are constantly moving like giant ‘rafts’ on top of the semi-molten mantle below. However, this movement is slow and rates vary from less than 2.5cm /yr to over 15cm/yr. One explanation for the movement of the Earth’s crustal plates is believed to be convection currents which occur in the semi-molten mantle.