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2. Explain why 'recycling' is used to describe

the process of the tectonic plates.


Answer :

Answer:

We use the word recycling to describe the tectonic plates process because when tectonic plates collide, parts of the continental crust goes back to the mantle.

Explanation:

When tectonic plates collide, subduction takes place. As a result, one tectonic plate with low density slides over the other with a higher density. As a consequence, parts of the plate with higher density goes back into the Earth's mantle. There, it melts and creates new crust when the seafloor expands. We can see that there is recycling in the tectonic plates process since there is a reuse of lithosphere's parts.