What do scientists propose is the driving mechanism of plate tectonics?

What do scientists propose is the driving mechanism of plate tectonics?

The driving force behind plate tectonics is convection in the mantle. Hot material near the Earth’s core rises, and colder mantle rock sinks.

Who proposed a mechanism for moving plates?

The realization that Earth’s land masses move was first proposed by Alfred Wegener, which he called continental drift. He is shown here at the base camp for Johan Koch’s 1912-1913 Greenland expedition. one of the seven main land masses on Earth. the movement of continents resulting from the motion of tectonic plates.

What are the two theories that explain plate motion?

The theory of plate tectonics is what brings together continental drift and seafloor spreading. Plates are made of lithosphere topped with oceanic and/or continental crust.

What are some theories of what is driving plate tectonics?

Mantle convection drives plate tectonics. Hot material rises at mid-ocean ridges and sinks at deep sea trenches, which keeps the plates moving along the Earth’s surface. If seafloor spreading drives the plates, what drives seafloor spreading?

What is the driving mechanism of plate movement?

The motion of tectonic plates is driven by convection in the mantle. In simple terms, convection is the idea that dense, cold things sink, and buoyant, warm things rise. In the earth the cold sinking things are slabs (subducting plates) and the warm things are plumes, or just rising material from deeper in the mantle.

What did Harry Hess propose?

Hess envisaged that oceans grew from their centres, with molten material (basalt) oozing up from the Earth’s mantle along the mid ocean ridges. This created new seafloor which then spread away from the ridge in both directions.

What theory will you present to describe the plate movement?

The theory of plate tectonics revolutionized the earth sciences by explaining how the movement of geologic plates causes mountain building, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Which is the best mechanism for plate motion?

Although ridge-push/slab-pull is the favored mechanism for plate motion, it’s important not to underestimate the role of mantle convection. Without convection, there would be no ridges to push from because upward convection brings hot buoyant rock to surface.

How does ridge push work to move plates?

ridge push / model also relies on mantle convection, but in this case it is not simply the traction from the convection cell that moves the plates.

Who was the founder of plate motion theory?

This theory was launched by Arthur Holmes and some forerunners in the 1930s and was immediately recognized as the solution for the acceptance of the theory as originally discussed in the papers of Alfred Wegener in the early years of the century.

How is convection a driving force for plate movement?

This convection is a driving force for the movement of tectonic platesno post, as the horizontal movements of mantle under the drag the plates with them. At places where convection currents in the mantle are moving upward, new