Mechanisms That Drive the Movement of Tectonic Plates

Flashcards covering key concepts and mechanisms that drive tectonic plate movement, including the asthenosphere, convection currents, and ridge push.

What is the asthenosphere?

The semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere, where rocks are partially molten, allowing tectonic plates to move above it.

How do convection currents form in the mantle?

Heat from the Earth's core causes the mantle to become heated and less dense, while cooler material becomes denser and sinks.

How do tectonic plates move at transform boundaries?

They slide past each other.

How do tectonic plates move at convergent boundaries?

They move toward each other.

How do tectonic plates move at divergent boundaries?

They move away from each other.

Where does ridge push occur?

At mid-ocean ridges where new crust is formed.

How does ridge push cause the seafloor to spread and plates to move apart?

As magma rises, the new, hot, less dense crust pushes older, denser crust away, creating outward pressure.