What is considered the main driving force in plate tectonics?

The main driving force in plate tectonics is believed to be mantle convection, which is the movement of the Earth's mantle caused by the heat from the Earth's core. This heat causes the mantle to flow in a cycle of rising and sinking material, creating currents that drag the tectonic plates along the surface. Other contributing factors include slab pull, where a sinking oceanic plate pulls the rest of the plate along, and ridge push, where new material at mid-ocean ridges pushes plates apart. Together, these mechanisms drive the movement of tectonic plates, shaping the Earth's surface.