GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Lithospheric plates are part of a planetary scale thermal convection system. The energy source for plate tectonics is Earth’s internal heat while the forces moving the plates are the “ridge push” and “slab pull” gravity forces.

Detailed explanation-2: -The heat from radioactive processes within the planet’s interior causes the plates to move, sometimes toward and sometimes away from each other. This movement is called plate motion, or tectonic shift.

Detailed explanation-3: -Convection currents play a role in the circulation of fluids. Convection currents are the result of differential heating. Lighter (less dense), warm material rises while heavier (more dense) cool material sinks.

Detailed explanation-4: -Tectonic forces describe the energy or the movements that cause a change in the Earth’s crust. The Earth’s crust is not one whole piece, but it is rather many little pieces called crustal plates that are joined together near their plate boundaries.