Convection currents

Galapagos Graphics: Earth's Crust Diagram © GCT

Earth’s Crust Diagram © GCT

Convection currents are the movement of particles (either gas or liquid) from an area of high temperature to an area of low temperature. Convection currents in the Earth’s mantle, where the mantle moves from the hotter interior of the Earth to the cooler surface, drive the movement of tectonic plates around the Earth’s surface.

Glossary of Galapagos