Which of the following is not part of the accepted driving mechanism of plate tectonic motions?
A)All of the heat for the mantle convection comes from small amounts of radioactive elements in the inner core.
B)The Earth's unequal distribution of internal heat is what drives the mantle convection and provides the heat engine.
C)Oceanic plates descend and constitute the downward-moving portion of Earth's internal convective flow.
D)Solid state convective flow in the rocky mantle, warm regions rising and cold regions sinking, is the basic driving force for plate motions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement that all of the heat for mantle convection comes from small amounts of radioactive elements in the inner core is incorrect. While radioactive elements do contribute to the heat budget of the Earth's interior, it is not the sole source of heat driving mantle convection. Other sources include residual heat from the planet's formation, heat released by ongoing chemical reactions in the mantle, and heat transfer from the core.

Which of the Following Is Not Part of the Accepted