Ask A Scientist Environmental Earth Science Archive

Status  Educator

Question-
I am thrilled to have discovered your site, however my question part
dosen't seem to open, nor does most of the site...
my question is how, why and or if the convection current has anything to
do with plate tectonics.
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Deborah,

By well supported information, it appears that the plates of the Earth are
driven by the heating of the Earth's interior causing the plasmic flow of
molten material in a cycle (eddies).  Like heating water in a pan, the hot
material rises and cools to sink to the bottom to be reheated along the side
of the container.  The stirring-like effect is the driving force of the
Plate Tectonic Theory.
The cycling effect is caused by the rising heated material and the falling
cooled material flowing down away from the center.  The energy to move the
floating plates of the Earth comes from the cooling material moving under
the plates away from the rising heated material.  It is a slow process, but
it is the driving force of all activity on the surface.  

North America at one time was connected to the Africa continent, and since
360 m years ago, the two continents have been moving at about 4cm a year.
Convection currents have been responsible for this motion.

Most encyclopedias have diagrams to show this action.

Take care,

Steve Sample
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