What natural process causes tectonic plates to move?

The movement of tectonic plates is primarily driven by convection currents within the Earth's mantle. These convection currents are the result of heat produced from the Earth's core, which causes the mantle material to become less dense and rise. As it rises, it cools and becomes denser, subsequently falling back down. This continuous cycle creates a flow that exerts forces on the tectonic plates located on the Earth's surface, leading to their movement.

This process is essential for understanding plate tectonics, which explains not only the movement of continents but also various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. Convection currents are a fundamental aspect of the Earth's dynamics, influencing how different plates interact with each other over geological time scales.