A "mystery" in our understanding of plate tectonics has been, until recently, the nature of the power source capable of moving the plates and the continents embedded within them. Recent evidence indicates the power source to be ____.
A)the readjustment of the surface to continual shrinking of the whole Earth
B)convection currents within Earth's mantle is moving the plates
C)the action of ocean currents is dragging along the seafloor, causing the seafloor and the continents to move
D)the continual vibration from earthquakes and volcanoes slowly moves the continents equator-ward under the influence of centrifugal force

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Recent evidence supports the theory that convection currents within Earth's mantle move the plates, causing the continents to shift and change positions over time. Other proposed explanations, such as ocean currents or the vibrations of earthquakes and volcanoes, are not sufficient to account for the large-scale movements observed in plate tectonics.

A "Mystery" in Our Understanding of Plate Tectonics Has Been