What is the primary cause of the Earth's tectonic activity?

The primary cause of Earth's tectonic activity is linked to heat from the Earth's interior, which generates convection currents within the mantle. As the Earth’s core is extremely hot, it heats up the surrounding mantle rocks. The heated material becomes less dense and begins to rise toward the surface. As it rises, it cools down and eventually sinks back down to the core, establishing a continuous cycle known as convection.

These convection currents play a crucial role in driving the movement of tectonic plates located on the Earth's surface. The movement of these plates can lead to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the creation of mountain ranges. The energy produced within the Earth is significantly more influential in causing these tectonic shifts than any external factors, like the gravitational pull from the Moon or seasonal temperature changes. This internal heat generation and the resulting convection currents are fundamental to understanding plate tectonics and the dynamic nature of our planet.