The driving force behind the movement of oceanic and continental plates may be
A)the rotation of Earth on its axis.
B)movements of Earth's liquid outer core.
C)adjustment of Earth's crust.
D)convection cells within the mantle.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The driving force behind the movement of oceanic and continental plates is convection cells within the mantle. These convection cells are caused by heat from the core rising to the surface, causing the molten rock to rise and cool, and then sink back down. This constant movement causes the tectonic plates above it to move as well. The other options (A, B, and C) are not directly related to the movement of tectonic plates.

The Driving Force Behind the Movement of Oceanic and Continental