What is the main gravity-driven force that pulls a cold, dense tectonic plate into the mantle at a subduction zone?

💡 Explanation:

The movement of tectonic plates is driven by a combination of forces. 'Slab pull' is the most significant and gravity-driven force. It occurs when cold, dense oceanic lithosphere sinks into the mantle at a subduction zone due to its own weight (negative buoyancy), effectively pulling the rest of the plate along behind it. 'Ridge push' is a secondary, gravity-driven force resulting from the elevated position of new, hot crust at mid-ocean ridges sliding down. 'Mantle Convection Drag' (Basal Traction) is the drag force from mantle flow, which is less dominant and can sometimes resist plate motion.