How is continental drift different from plate tectonics theory?

-Mention 1 type of evidence for plate tectonics

Max/Jasmine/Nikko -- please use the same name for your posts.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001765.html

Continental drift is a theory proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century that suggests that the continents on Earth were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea and have since drifted apart over millions of years. It focuses mainly on the movement of continents across the Earth's surface.

Plate tectonics, on the other hand, is a broader and more comprehensive theory that explains the movement and behavior of the Earth's lithospheric plates, which are large chunks of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. Plate tectonics encompasses not only the movement of continents but also the formation and interaction of various types of plate boundaries, such as divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.

One type of evidence for plate tectonics is the study of paleomagnetism. Earth's magnetic field has changed over time, and magnetic minerals in rocks record the direction and strength of the magnetic field at the time the rock was formed. By analyzing the magnetic properties of rocks on both sides of mid-ocean ridges, scientists have discovered symmetrical patterns of magnetic stripes that are mirror images of each other. These patterns provide strong evidence for seafloor spreading, a key process in plate tectonics. The magnetic patterns indicate that new oceanic crust is continuously formed at mid-ocean ridges and moves outward in both directions, pushing the older crust away from the ridge. This discovery supports the idea of lithospheric plates moving apart from each other and highlights the dynamic nature of the Earth's surface.