Question

what causes earths lithospheric plates to move? select all that apply a the earths core causes plates to move outward from the mid-ocean ridge. b the sinking of the cold lithosphere at a subduction zone. c the upwelling mantle at the mid-ocean ridge pushes plates outward d the earths magnetic field draws iron-rich minerals towards the poles.

Explanation:

• Option a: The Earth's core doesn't directly cause plates to move outward from mid - ocean ridges. The movement is related to mantle convection. So this is incorrect.
• Option b: At subduction zones, the cold, dense lithosphere sinks into the mantle. This sinking helps drive the movement of the lithospheric plates as part of the convection current system. So this is correct.
• Option c: At mid - ocean ridges, the upwelling of hot mantle material (magma) pushes the lithospheric plates outward. This is a key mechanism in plate tectonics (ridge push). So this is correct.
• Option d: The Earth's magnetic field is related to the orientation of magnetic minerals in rocks (for paleomagnetic studies) but does not draw iron - rich minerals towards the poles to move the plates. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

b. The sinking of the cold lithosphere at a subduction zone.
c. The upwelling mantle at the mid - ocean ridge pushes plates outward