Plate tectonics explains why Earth’s continents are moving; the theory of continental drift did not provide an explanation. Therefore, the theory of plate tectonics
is more complete
.
How does the continental drift theory and seafloor spreading support the plate tectonics theory?
Supporters of continental drift originally
theorized that the continents moved (drifted) through unmoving oceans
. Seafloor spreading proves that the ocean itself is a site of tectonic activity. Seafloor spreading is just one part of plate tectonics. Subduction is another.
How are the theories of continental drift and plate tectonics similar?
Continental Drift as proposed by Alfred Wegener
What does the theory of continental drift and theory of plate tectonics state?
According to the theory of continental drift, the world was made up of a single continent through most of geologic time. … According to the generally accepted plate-tectonics theory, scientists
believe that Earth’s surface is broken into a number of shifting slabs or plates
, which average about 50 miles in thickness.
What are the 3 theories of plate tectonics?
The three types of plate boundaries are
divergent, convergent, and transform
. They are described in the following three concepts. Most geological activity takes place at plate boundaries.
What is the difference between Pangea and continental drift theory?
Continental drift describes one of the earliest ways geologists thought continents moved over time. … He called this movement continental drift. Pangaea. Wegener
was convinced that all of Earth’s continents were once part of an enormous, single landmass called Pangaea
.
What are the evidences that support the continental drift theory?
The evidence for continental drift included
the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones
.
How important is the continental drift theory to the formation of the plate tectonics theory?
continental drift, large-scale horizontal movements of continents relative to one another and to the ocean basins during one or more episodes of geologic time. This concept was an
important precursor
to the development of the theory of plate tectonics, which incorporates it.
What cause the plates to move?
The heat from radioactive processes within the planet’s interior
causes the plates to move, sometimes toward and sometimes away from each other. This movement is called plate motion, or tectonic shift.
What are the 2 theories behind why tectonic plates move?
Why do plates move? One explanation for plate movements is
slab pull
. Plates are extremely heavy so gravity acts upon them, pulling them apart. Alternatively, as shown in the diagram, convection currents under the Earth’s crust transfer heat, which rises through the surface and cools back down in a circular motion.
What is the main idea of the plate tectonic theory?
The theory of plate tectonics states
that the Earth’s solid outer crust, the lithosphere, is separated into plates that move over the asthenosphere, the molten upper portion of the mantle
. Oceanic and continental plates come together, spread apart, and interact at boundaries all over the planet.
What is the theory of plate tectonics called?
In 1912 the meteorologist Alfred Wegener
What are the 4 types of plate tectonics?
- Divergent: extensional; the plates move apart. Spreading ridges, basin-range.
- Convergent: compressional; plates move toward each other. Includes: Subduction zones and mountain building.
- Transform: shearing; plates slide past each other. Strike-slip motion.
Why was the continental drift theory rejected?
This idea was quickly rejected by the scientific community primarily because
the actual forces generated by the rotation of the earth were calculated to be insufficient to move continents
.
What is continental drift theory explain?
Continental drift describes
one of the earliest ways geologists thought continents moved over time
. … He called this movement continental drift. Pangaea. Wegener was convinced that all of Earth’s continents were once part of an enormous, single landmass called Pangaea.
What is the weakness of continental drift theory?
Forces like buoyancy, tidal currents and gravity
are too weak to be able to move continents. Modern theories (Plate Tectonics) accept the existence of Pangaea and related landmasses but give a very different explanation to the causes of drift.
