Lithospheric plates are the tops of convection cells and subduction zones are the downgoing part of the convection cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Lithospheric plates are a part of the Earth's outermost layer (the lithosphere) which is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates sit on top of the asthenosphere, which is a more fluid layer of the mantle. The movement of these plates is driven by convection currents within the mantle, with the lithospheric plates riding on top of the moving currents. Subduction zones are areas where two plates collide and one plate is forced down into the mantle, which is the downgoing part of the convection cell.

Lithospheric Plates Are the Tops of Convection Cells and Subduction