What term best describes the driving force behind plate tectonics?
A)expansion
B)convergence
C)convection
D)divergence
E)transformation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Convection is the driving force that powers plate tectonics. It occurs in the mantle layer of the Earth where hot magma rises and cooler magma sinks, causing the movement of the lithospheric plates. This movement is what causes a variety of geologic processes, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountains and oceanic trenches.

What Term Best Describes the Driving Force Behind Plate Tectonics