How do tectonic plates move BBC Bitesize?

The plates move because of convection currents in the Earth’s mantle. These are driven by the heat produced by the natural decay of radioactive elements in the Earth. Where tectonic plates meet, the Earth’s crust becomes unstable as the plates push against each other, or ride under or over each other.

How do convection currents move tectonic plates BBC Bitesize?

The crust moves because of movements deep inside the earth. Heat rising and falling inside the mantle creates convection currents generated by radioactive decay in the core. The convection currents move the plates. Where convection currents diverge near the Earth’s crust, plates move apart.

What is the main theory of plate tectonics?

Plate Tectonics Theory 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. The plates are moved around on Earth’s surface by seafloor spreading. Convection in the mantle drives seafloor spreading.

What is the asthenosphere BBC Bitesize?

The upper part of the mantle is called the asthenosphere . It is made up of semi- molten rock called magma. The crust is the surface of the Earth. It is a rock layer forming the upper part of the lithosphere .

How do plates move ks2?

As the heat of the dinner plate melts the ice, it slides around. This is like tectonic plates moving on the Earth’s soft mantle layer. The plates can move towards each other, away from each another, or rub against each other. On average, they move at a rate of about 1 to 10 cm every year.

What are tectonic plates BBC Bitesize ks2?

The earth’s crust is broken into plates. It was once believed that convection currents in the mantle slowly moved the crust around. It is now thought that a mechanism called slab pull drives the movement of tectonic plates. Slab pull occurs where older, denser tectonic plates sink into the mantle at subduction zones.

What are 3 main types of plate boundaries?

Divergent boundaries — where new crust is generated as the plates pull away from each other.

  • Convergent boundaries — where crust is destroyed as one plate dives under another.
  • Transform boundaries — where crust is neither produced nor destroyed as the plates slide horizontally past each other.

    • What are tectonic plates explanation for kids?

    Tectonic plates are broken pieces made of the Earth’s crust or lithosphere. Another name for them is crustal plates. Continental crust is less dense, and oceanic crust is denser. These rigid plates can move in different directions, shifting constantly.