The movement described in the question is related to tectonic plates, and the process that causes their movement is known as convection currents in the Earth's mantle. Here's how it works: deep inside the Earth, heat from the core causes the rock in the mantle (which is the layer beneath the Earth's crust) to heat up and become less dense. This hot, less dense rock rises toward the crust. When it reaches the cooler area near the crust, it spreads out and pushes the tectonic plates above it. As the rock cools down, it becomes denser and sinks back down towards the core, creating a circular flow called a convection current. This cycle of rising and sinking rock acts like a conveyor belt that moves the plates on the Earth's surface. So the heat building up pressure underneath the crust causes this movement through these convection currents in the mantle, driving the plates to shift, which leads to phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the creation of mountains .In simple terms, the thing the question is referring to is the convection currents in the Earth's mantle that cause the movement of tectonic plates by building pressure and pushing the plates around. This is a fundamental process behind how the Earth’s surface changes over time[tex].[/tex]
Convection currents are important because they explain the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates. Inside the mantle, hot molten rock (magma) rises since it is lighter, while cooler magma sinks because it is heavier. This cycle of rising and sinking creates a circular motion called a convection current. As these currents move, they push and pull on the crust above them. This is why tectonic plates shift, causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the creation of mountains and ocean trenches.