We learned that forces that cause tectonic plates to move come from deep within Earth. Earth’s mantle is hot, and it flows in a plastic way caused by convection. As the mantle moves, it moves the tectonic plates. We learned how volcanoes are beneficial to Earth’s environment by creating new crust. In a few years the new volcanic rock weathers to form fertile soils such as those found in California, Hawaii, and Italy. Most gold, silver, copper, and zinc are mined from volcanic rock. In Iceland homes are heated by geothermal energy from water piped from volcanic hot springs.