How did convection currents cause the plates to move

Convection currents in the mantle are powered by the heat from the earth's core. The convection cells move in a circular motion in the mantle as the plumes or currents of magma rises and falls due to heating and cooling. This circular motion will affect the base of the crust and drag the crustal plates along. The movement however is very slow, as plates only move a few centimeters or inches per year.