Chapter 1: Problem 8

How does mantle convection contribute to plate tectonics?

Short Answer

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Mantle convection contributes to plate tectonics by driving the movement of lithospheric plates through the continuous cycle of hot material rising from Earth's mantle, spreading at the surface, and sinking back down. This process directly affects plate motion, causing them to converge, diverge, or slide past each other. Mantle convection leads to the formation and destruction of lithospheric plates at divergent and convergent boundaries, and plays a role in the force balance at transform boundaries.

Step by step solution

Overview of mantle convection and plate tectonics

Mantle convection is a thermal process where hot material from Earth's interior rises towards the surface, loses heat, and sinks back down. This continuous cycle is mainly caused by heat generated from radioactive decay of elements within Earth's mantle, as well as residual heat from Earth's formation. Plate tectonics refers to the movement of Earth's solid outer layers, called lithospheric plates, on a more fluid and mobile material below called the asthenosphere.

Connecting mantle convection process with plate movement

The process of mantle convection is directly related to plate movement because it is the underlying driving mechanism behind plate tectonics. As hot material within the mantle rises towards the surface, it imparts forces on the lithospheric plates above. As the heated material reaches the cooler surface layers, it spreads out laterally, causing the plates above to be pulled apart or pushed together. This movement between plates causes them to either converge, diverge, or slide past each other.

Divergent plate boundaries

At divergent plate boundaries, two lithospheric plates move away from each other. This movement is due to mantle convection, as hot material rises to the surface, forcing the plates above to separate. As the plates spread apart, new oceanic lithosphere is created from the molten material that fills the gap between the separating plates. This is known as seafloor spreading and it contributes to the growth of continental plates and the formation of new oceanic crust.

Convergent plate boundaries

Mantle convection also contributes to the motion at convergent plate boundaries, where two lithospheric plates move towards each other. As the less dense plate is forced beneath the denser plate, a process known as subduction occurs. During subduction, the colder and more rigid plate is drawn back into the mantle, where it melts and contributes to the process of mantle convection. This leads to the formation of volcanic arcs and mountain ranges along convergent boundaries.

Transform plate boundaries

Transform plate boundaries occur when two lithospheric plates slide past each other. While mantle convection does not directly drive the motion at transform boundaries, it does contribute to the overall force balance that allows for this type of plate interaction to occur. In conclusion, mantle convection contributes to plate tectonics by providing the primary driving mechanism for plate movement. The continuous cycle of hot material rising from Earth's mantle and spreading at the surface leads to the formation and destruction of lithospheric plates at divergent and convergent boundaries, while also playing a role in the force balance at transform boundaries.

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How does mantle convection contribute to plate tectonics?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Overview of mantle convection and plate tectonics

Connecting mantle convection process with plate movement

Divergent plate boundaries

Convergent plate boundaries

Transform plate boundaries

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