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Examine the diagram of the structure of the earth above and answer each of the following questions - Leaving Cert Geography - Question A - 2015
Question A
Examine the diagram of the structure of the earth above and answer each of the following questions. (i) In your answer book, name each of the layers of the earth la... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Examine the diagram of the structure of the earth above and answer each of the following questions - Leaving Cert Geography - Question A - 2015
Step 1
Step 2
Explain briefly what is meant by the term plate.
Answer
In geology, a 'plate' refers to a large, rigid piece of the Earth's lithosphere that moves and interacts with other plates. The lithosphere is divided into several tectonic plates, which float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These plates can carry continents and oceanic crust, and their movements are responsible for various geological activities.
Step 3
Explain briefly what causes plates to move.
Answer
Plate movements are primarily caused by convection currents in the mantle beneath them. As the Earth's interior heats up, hot materials rise toward the surface, while cooler materials sink. This movement creates forces that push and pull the tectonic plates. Additionally, gravitational forces help to drive the plates downward at subduction zones, contributing further to their motion.