1. Convection Currents in the Mantle: The Earth's mantle is a layer of hot, semi-solid rock. Heat from the Earth's core causes convection currents within the mantle, similar to how water boils in a pot. This creates a circular motion where hotter, less dense material rises, while cooler, denser material sinks. These currents drag the tectonic plates along with them.
2. Slab Pull: As tectonic plates move, older, denser oceanic crust subducts (sinks) beneath another plate at convergent boundaries. This subducting slab pulls the rest of the plate along, like a heavy anchor dragging a chain.
These two forces work together to drive the complex movements of tectonic plates, shaping the Earth's surface and causing phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges.
