Heat transfer due to convection in the asthenosphere is responsible for the motion of tectonic plates. The plates form in the most brittle layer.

Choose the most accurate statement below:

Select one:

a. Heat and convection currents move plates in the lithosphere

b. Heat and convection currents move plates in the asthenosphere

c. Heat and convection currents move plates in the mantle

d. Heat and convection currents move plates in the outer core

Option (A)

Explanation:

The lithosphere is the hard, outermost region of the earth. They are brittle in nature and the rocks break due to deformation. The lithosphere is made up of numerous plates, and they are of 2 types. They are namely, the oceanic crust and the continental crust.

These plates float over the less dense layer of the asthenosphere due to the convection current that generates in the mantle. This current occurs because of the heat radiated from the interior of the earth. This motion of plates over the asthenosphere is known as the plate tectonic theory.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).