A "mystery" in our understanding of plate tectonics has been, until recently, the nature of the power source capable of moving the plates and the continents embedded within them. Recent evidence indicates the power source to be .
A) the readjustment of the surface to continual shrinking of the whole Earth
B) convection currents within Earth's mantle moving the plates
C) the action of ocean currents dragging along the seafloor, causing the seafloor and the continents to move
D) the continual vibration from earthquakes and volcanoes slowly moves the continents equator-ward under the influence of centrifugal force

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Convection currents within Earth's mantle are the primary force driving the movement of tectonic plates. These currents are caused by the heat from the Earth's core, which creates a cycle of rising and sinking material in the mantle, pushing and pulling the plates along.

A "Mystery" in Our Understanding of Plate Tectonics Has Been