What geological process is responsible for plate tectonics?

The geological process responsible for plate tectonics is primarily convection currents in the mantle. Convection currents occur due to the heat produced by the radioactive decay of elements within the Earth. This heat causes the mantle's semi-fluid material to rise and cool, creating a cyclical flow. As the hotter, less dense material rises, it pushes the cooler, denser material down, leading to a constant movement.

This movement in the mantle generates forces that cause the tectonic plates, which are rigid and float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them, to shift and move. The interactions of these plates at their boundaries lead to geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the creation of mountain ranges. Understanding convection currents reveals the dynamic nature of Earth's interior and how they drive the movements essential for plate tectonics.