Ccording to the theory plate tectonics, the earth's crust is broken into about 12 plates that float on hotter, softer rocks in the underlying mantle. these plates move about the earth, just inches each year. these slight movements are responsible, in great part, for the earthquakes and volcanoes that happen on earth. what is the source of energy that drives this plate movement? a) the subducton of the sea floor b) convection currents in the mantle c) the different densities of the oceanic and crustal plates d) the friction force between the plates that move past each other

The correct answer is - B) convection currents in the mantle.

There's multiple tectonic plates on the surface on the planet, around 17 from what is known so far, but as the scientific methods are developing there might be few more discovered in the years to come.

These plates are all moving, only few cm per year, but on the long term it influences and changes everything on the surface on the Earth.

The movement of the plates is the result of the convection currents in the mantle layer beneath. These convection currents are essentially the combination of the high temperatures, high pressures, and viscous metals, and they managed to break up the crust on the surface, and with its push force, they are slowly moving the plates.

With the movement of the plates and their collisions and moving away, lots of earthquakes and volcanoes are appearing all over the plate boundaries.

heat from the core of the earth causes convection currents to occur in the mantle. these currents slowly move the crust around.