In plate tectonics, the lithospheric plates move over which layer?

Study for the Praxis Elementary Education Multiple Subjects. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare for your certification exam effectively!

Multiple Choice

In plate tectonics, the lithospheric plates move over which layer?

Explanation:
The layer over which the lithospheric plates move is the asthenosphere. This region, in the upper mantle, is partially molten and behaves plastically, allowing rocks to flow slowly. Because the asthenosphere is ductile, the rigid plates of the lithosphere can slide and glide on top of it, driven by convection currents in the mantle. The mantle lies below the lithosphere, the outer core is much deeper, and the crust is part of the plates themselves rather than the layer they move over.

The layer over which the lithospheric plates move is the asthenosphere. This region, in the upper mantle, is partially molten and behaves plastically, allowing rocks to flow slowly. Because the asthenosphere is ductile, the rigid plates of the lithosphere can slide and glide on top of it, driven by convection currents in the mantle. The mantle lies below the lithosphere, the outer core is much deeper, and the crust is part of the plates themselves rather than the layer they move over.

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