What are differences between Continental Drifts and Plate Tectonics?
I need at last 4 for each.
Please help its urgent!!!!!
Thanks a bunch!
Ellie
Continental drift is one of the consequences of plate tectonics. The continents are attached to one or several of the moving plates.
i still don't get how they're different. What are 4 differences between them?
I would have said that Plate Tectonics is a theory "that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as seismicity, volcanism, continental drift, and mountain building in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the Earth's lithospheric plates."
Whereas Continental Drift is a geological phenomena than can be measured and recorded. Plate Tectonics is one of several theories that have been proposed over the years to explain Continental Drift another example is a theory based around Centrifugal Forces, but I can't remember the details.
I like Dr Russ's answer. Mine was rather off the top of my head, and I am not a geophysicist.
Plate tectonics is a fairly recent (middle 1900's) theory due to Wegener, now widely accepted, while continental drift was known for over a century before that, and is an experimentaly observed fact. Like all good theories, Plate Tectonics helps explain other phenomena as well, such as the volcanic and earthquake-active "ring of fire" around the Pacific Rim, the formation of new mountain ranges, and release of hot gases at sea-floor subduction zones.
Sure, I can help you with that! Here are four differences between Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics:
1. Scientific Understanding:
- Continental Drift: The theory of Continental Drift was proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century. It suggested that Earth's continents were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea, which later broke apart and drifted to their current positions.
- Plate Tectonics: Plate Tectonics is a more recent theory that was developed in the late 20th century. It explains the movement and interaction of large sections of the Earth's lithosphere (known as tectonic plates) that float on top of the underlying asthenosphere.
2. Mechanism of Motion:
- Continental Drift: Wegener's theory did not explain the driving force behind the movement of the continents. He hypothesized that the continents plowed through the oceanic crust, but this was later disproven.
- Plate Tectonics: The theory of Plate Tectonics explains the movement of the lithospheric plates by the process of convection currents in the asthenosphere. Heat transfer in the Earth's mantle generates these currents, causing the plates to move either towards, away, or slide past each other.
3. Evidence:
- Continental Drift: Wegener presented several lines of evidence to support his theory of Continental Drift, such as the fit of the continents, matching geological features, similar fossils found on different continents, and paleoclimate data.
- Plate Tectonics: The theory of Plate Tectonics is supported by a wide range of evidence, including seafloor spreading, magnetic anomalies on the oceanic crust, earthquake distribution along plate boundaries, volcanic activity, and the distribution of rock ages.
4. Scope of Theory:
- Continental Drift: The theory of Continental Drift primarily focuses on the movement of the continents and how they have changed shape and position over time.
- Plate Tectonics: Plate Tectonics encompasses not only the movement of continents but also the study of oceanic crust, the creation of new crust at mid-oceanic ridges, subduction zones, volcanic activity, mountain formation, and the distribution of earthquakes.
To find this information on your own, you can refer to scientific textbooks, online resources, or research articles about Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics. These sources will provide you with more detailed and comprehensive explanations.