MANTLE CONVECTION
Earth’s mechanism deals with the forces acting on lithospheric plates to move in a particular direction. The motion is a
result of thermal convection in the mantle due to the convection current formed. The mantle convection process will
be further explained as you go along the module.
From the previous lesson, you have learned about Theory of Continental Drift in which Wegener thought that the
seven continents we know today had been once a part of a supercontinent called Pangaea. It broke apart like pieces of
a puzzle and moved to their present location, becoming today’s continent. Can you still remember the evidence of the
Continental Drift Theory? Can you figure out these evidence that supported this theory? How about the evidence of
the Seafloor Spreading Theory?
What could be the reasons why scientists rejected Wegener’s idea of Continental Drift?
In this lesson, you will learn about mantle convection and forces as a mechanism to the motion of the massive plates
of the lithosphere and the development of the Theory of Plate Tectonic.
Plate Tectonic Theory
Plate Tectonic Theory was developed in 1960s, stating that the Earth’s lithosphere-the crust and the upper
mantle- is broken up into several pieces called plates that move slowly. It explains how the massive plates move along
the different types of plate tectonic boundaries (convergent, divergent, and transform fault) where they interact, and
the geologic events (earthquakes and subduction) and geologic features (formation of mountains, volcanoes, and
trenches) that occur at their boundaries.
What Makes Lithospheric Plates Move?
A convection current is a heat transfer process that involves the movement of energy from one place to
another. The convection currents tend to move a fluid, gas particles, or molten rock. These are due to the differences
in the densities and the temperature of a specific gas or a fluid. Due to this temperature difference, the hot fluid tends
to rise as it expands, whereas cold fluid tends to sink because it contracts. Convection is one of the kinds of heat
transfer; the other two are radiation and conduction.
Convection
current also happens in the mantle. The mantle is the second inner layer of Earth, made up of mostly hot rocks and
magma. It is a very hot layer because of the heat generated by the core. The source of heat from the core is due to the
decay or breakdown of radioactive elements. Mantle convection is a process by which thermal convection occurs in
the inner layer of the earth. The differences in the temperature at the Earth’s interior and surface cause convection
currents to occur within the mantle.
Lithospheric plates are the parts of the uppermost layer of the Earth, and they are flowing in an area called the
asthenosphere. The asthenosphere is a soft, less rigid upper part of the mantle where the lithospheric plates float and
move around. Plates move slowly and continuously when the hot less dense material rises. The rising hot material
cools down in a certain area. Hence, it becomes denser than the cool, dense material sinks that creates convection cell,
with hot rising currents and cool sinking currents are regularly repeated and become a cycle. The movement of the
lithospheric plate is attributed to mantle convection and considered as one of the driving mechanisms for plate
motion. The lithosphere at the divergent boundary will uplift and tear apart due to the rising of hot magma. The sinking
of magma pulls down the tectonic plate at a convergent boundary. Aside from mantle convection, ridge push, sliding, and slab pull
are other forces that move the lithospheric plates.
In the process of slab pull, the presence of a heavier subducting plate pulls down the trailing slab into the subduction
zone.
In a ridge push or gravitational sliding process, the old oceanic crust becomes heavier than the new oceanic crust and
sinks because of the weight of the raised ridge, which pushes down the older oceanic crust towards the trench at the subduction
zone.
Activity 1: Lithospheric Float
Let’s use these materials: paper, ball pen, a picture showing convection process.
Let’s do it this way:
1. Refer to the picture to answer the questions that follow.
2. Answer in a separate sheet of paper
Based on the picture,
1. What represents the plates?
2. What represents the mantle?
3. Where is the heat source?
4. Why are the blocks of wood floating?
5. Which part of the water has a greater density? Lesser density?
6. Explain convection current.
Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following DOES NOT describe a convection process?
A. the handle of a metal pot is hot while cooking B. boiling of macaroni pasta
C. a sea breeze D. ocean water in the surface is warmer
2. What is the source of heat generated by the core to the mantle?
A. gases B. decayed radioactive elements
C. molten rocks D. molten metals
3. Which of the following has a faster movement of molecules?
A. hot materials B. warm materials
C. cold materials D. room temperature materials
4. Which of the following has a lesser density in a convection cell?
A. warm fluid material B. cold fluid materials
C. room temperature fluid materials D. hot fluid materials
5. In a convection current, hot materials move .
A. any direction B. sideward C. upward D. downward
6. The uplifting and tearing apart of lithosphere occurs at .
A. convergent boundary B. divergent boundary C. transform fault boundary D. mantle
7. The idea that Earth’s lithosphere is broken up into separate plates that float on the mantle is the theory of .
A. continental drift B. seafloor C. tectonic movement spreading D. plate tectonics
8. The region in which one plate moves under another is .
A. rift valley B. subduction zone C. magma chamber D. vent
9. A driving force for plate motion at mid-ocean ridges as a result of the rigid lithosphere sliding down .
A. slab pull B. ridge push C. convection current D. seafloor spreading
10. The motion of gas or liquid caused by differences in temperature is a .
A. tectonic movement B. plate tectonic C. convection current D. magma chamber
11. Where is the source of heat in a mantle convection current?
A. the Sun B. the crust C. the core D. the moon
12. Which of the following is NOT a driving force of tectonic plates?
A. ridge push B. slab push C. drag force D. mantle convection
13. It is a measure of how much mass there is in a volume of a substance.
A. volume B. temperature C. density D. mass
14. The plastic-like upper portion of the mantle is called .
A. the magma B. the core C. the lithosphere D. the asthenosphere
15. Which of the following is NOT a method of heat transfer?
A. condensation B. convection C. conduction D. radiation
