Which mechanism maintains magma convection within Earth's mantle beneath volcanic hotspots?

💡 Explanation

When the mantle is heated from the core, thermal plumes form because hotter, less dense rock rises while cooler, denser rock sinks creating differential density causing convection. Therefore thermal plumes drive mantle convection beneath volcanic hotspots, rather than the Coriolis effect, tidal flexing, or seafloor spreading, which have different origins.

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