2006-10-23 21:23:38 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Yes, the whole of it. Its conductivity is too low to carry away all the radioactive heat generated in the core, so it has to become molten throughout and convect like a saucepan to carry the extra heat to the surface. Some parts are upward currents, some are downwards, and there have to be sideways currents from the one to the other. These are what move the tectonic plates around.
2006-10-24 02:40:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two basic theories of mantle convection. Whole Mantle Convection states the entire mantle is convecting. Another theory states the Upper Mantle is convecting and the Lower Mantle is convecting. Since this is an area of active research and is a topic of heated debate it is not a question that can be answered at the present time. Much more research is needed before one theory can become dominate. My personal feeling is Whole Mantle Convection, because it explains deep-seated earthquakes as a response to mineral phase changes at the 660 km discontinuity. But don't take my word, I'm not a geophysicist.
2006-10-24 12:30:21 · answer #2 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well first we should know that mantle is divided in to parts according to the mechanical property that is ....its semi liquid upto the depth from 100 to 650km...that portion is known as ASTHENOSPHERE..below astheno sphere there lies a lower mantle which is a solid and that transmitt heat and convection currents from outer core to the asthenosphere that asthenosphere then drives lithosphere (the solid portion of the earth)...therefore in this way whole of the mantles is involved in the driving mechanism of the lithosphere.
2006-10-24 09:06:09 · answer #3 · answered by hussainalimalik1983 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋