Plates at our planet s surface move because of the intense heat in the Earth s core that causes molten rock in the mantle layer to move. It moves in a pattern called a convection cell that forms when warm material rises, cools, and eventually sink down.As the cooled material sinks down, it is warmed and rises again.lates at our planet s surface move because of the intense heat in the Earth s core that causes molten rock in the mantle layer to move. It moves in a pattern called a convection cell that forms when ...more.