What causes convection currents in the atmosphere?

Convection currents are created in the Earth’s atmosphere as the sun heats the gases, causing them to rise. Theses gases cool as they rise high into the atmosphere and travel back down towards the ground to get heated again.

What are the main causes of convection currents in the asthenosphere?

Convection occurs in the asthenosphere due to heat generated in Earth’s core. This heat drives convection currents throughout the mantle because magma is able to move as a viscous fluid, rising and turning over again as it is heated from below.

What causes convection to occur?

Convection occurs when particles with a lot of heat energy in a liquid or gas move and take the place of particles with less heat energy. Heat energy is transferred from hot places to cooler places by convection. Liquids and gases expand when they are heated. … The denser cold liquid or gas falls into the warm areas.

Where do convection currents occur in the atmosphere?

Convection currents are present in the air– A good example of convection current is the warm air that rises towards the ceiling in your house. The process happens as the warm air is said to be less dense than that of the colder air. Another good example of convection current is wind.

What causes convection in Earth’s mantle?

It is caused by the difference in temperature and density. … Heating and cooling of the fluid, changes in the fluid density, and the force of gravity, combine to set convection currents in motion. Heat from the core and the mantle itself cause convection currents in the mantle.