A layer of partially molten material within the upper part of the mantle

The section of the Earth's crust upon which contact is established between the partially molten mantle and the tectonic plates

An area within the mantle in which the lithospheric plates are sitting, made up of solid rock

34 000km

340 000km

340km

3 400km

Mohorovic Discontinuity

Wegener Margin

Wegener Discontinuity

Mohorovic Margin

Convection currents in the mantle push the plates apart at diverging boundaries

Convection currents in the mantle carry the plates in directions from within the asthenosphere

Gravity pulls the plates towards the lowest point of altitude - the oceans - where they subduct or diverge and repeat the process

Convection currents in the mantle pull plates into subduction margins where displacement forces the other plates to move in the direction

1.5 - 7cm

15 - 70cm

1.5 - 7m

15 - 70m

Mid-ocean ridges as new crust is formed from solidified molten material

Mountain ranges as plates are pushed together, forcing crust upwards

Subduction, as one plate pushes the other into the mantle

Earthquakes as a single fault line releases the build-up of pressure along the plate

Mid-ocean ridges as new crust is formed from solidified molten material

Mountain ranges as plates are pushed together, forcing crust upwards

Subduction, as one plate pushes the denser plate into the mantle

Earthquakes as a single fault line releases the build-up of pressure along the plate

Mid-ocean ridges as new crust is formed from solidified molten material

Mountain ranges as plates are pushed together, forcing crust upwards

Subduction, as one plate pushes the denser plate into the mantle

Earthquakes as a single fault line releases the build-up of pressure along the plate

(This is an open ended question. It is here to make you answer this for yourself and think about it now) (This answer is correct)

(This is an open ended question. It is here to make you answer this for yourself and think about it now) (This answer is incorrect)

The area estimated to be affected by a volcanic eruption

The buildup of material around a volcano creating a cone-like structure

When a violent eruption blows off the top of an existing volcanic cone

Gravity and the radiant energy from the sun

Lithospheric movement and tectonics

Human influence

Earth's internal energy

Exposed rock material is fragmented by weathering, detached by mass movements and agents of erosion, and then deposited at lower elevations as debris.

Exposed rock material is fragmented by agents of erosion, detached by mass movement and weathering, and then deposited at lower elevations as debris.

Exposed rock material is fragmented by deposition, detached by mass movements and weathering , and then eroded at lower elevations as debris.

Exposed rock material is fragmented by mass movement, detached by weathering and agents of erosion, and then deposited at lower elevations as debris.

The shearing force of the running water itself, exerting force and dragging on the river beds and banks

Rock particles carried by the running water striking the channel walls

Chemical solutions from rocks being exposed to solvents carried in the river

The shearing force of the running water itself, exerting force and dragging on the river beds and banks

Rock particles carried by the running water striking the channel walls

Chemical solutions from rocks being exposed to solvents carried in the river

The shearing force of the running water itself, exerting force and dragging on the river beds and banks

Rock particles carried by the running water striking the channel walls

Chemical solutions from rocks being exposed to solvents carried in the river