Which of the following processes is primarily responsible for the movement of tectonic plates?

The movement of tectonic plates is primarily driven by mantle convection, which is a process occurring within the Earth's mantle. This involves the heating of material located near the Earth's core, causing it to become less dense and rise toward the surface. As this material rises, it cools, becomes denser, and then sinks back down. This cyclical movement creates convection currents in the mantle.

These currents play a crucial role in exerting forces on the lithosphere, the rigid outer layer of the Earth where tectonic plates exist. Through this mechanism, mantle convection facilitates the movement of the plates above, leading to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the creation of mountain ranges.

The other processes mentioned do not contribute to the movement of tectonic plates in a direct manner. Solar radiation influences climate and weather patterns but has no effect on the internal dynamics of the Earth’s layers. Wind erosion affects surface features but does not influence the plates beneath the surface. Ocean current flow is related to the movement of water in the oceans, which can impact climate and weather patterns but does not drive the tectonic processes happening within the Earth. Therefore, mantle convection is the fundamental process that drives the dynamics of tectonic plate movement.