Select the correct answer.Which of these conditions would likely cause the tectonic plates of Earth to stop moving? A. Earth’s crust and mantle reach thermal equilibrium.
B. Earth stops receiving energy from the Sun.
C. The temperature of the surface of Earth drops considerably.
D. The amount of radiogenic heat released by the mantle multiplies.
Question & Answer
Select the correct answer.Which of these conditions would likely cause the tectonic plates of Earth to stop moving?
1 Answer
Verified archiveThe correct answer is A. Earth’s crust and mantle reach thermal equilibrium.
Explanation: Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle, which are driven by heat from the Earth’s interior. If the crust and mantle were to reach thermal equilibrium, it would mean there is no significant temperature difference to drive these convection currents, effectively stopping the movement of tectonic plates. The other options relate to factors that would not directly cause the plates to stop moving.