Why is the Plate Tectonic Theory accepted today over the Continental Drift Theory?
O The continents nor the plates truly move, they just appear to
O All plates of Earth's crust move, not just the landmasses
O The continents did move at one time but have moved back together
O The marsupial fossils found were not great evidence that Pangaea once existed
The Plate Tectonic Theory is accepted today over the Continental Drift Theory for several reasons:
1. More comprehensive explanation: The Plate Tectonic Theory provides a more comprehensive explanation of the geological phenomena observed on Earth. It not only explains the movement of continents but also accounts for other geological processes such as the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.
2. Evidence from seafloor spreading: The discovery of seafloor spreading and the mapping of oceanic ridges and trenches provided strong evidence for the Plate Tectonic Theory. This phenomenon could not be explained by the Continental Drift Theory alone.
3. Confirmation of plate boundaries: The Plate Tectonic Theory accurately predicts the location and characteristics of plate boundaries, which has been confirmed by various geological and geophysical observations. This supports the concept of rigid lithospheric plates moving over the asthenosphere.
4. Evidence from paleomagnetism: The study of paleomagnetism, which involves the analysis of ancient magnetic fields recorded in rocks, supports the concept of plate tectonics. The patterns of magnetic anomalies observed on the seafloor provide evidence of seafloor spreading and plate motion.
5. Geological dating techniques: Advances in radioactive dating techniques have allowed scientists to determine the ages of rocks accurately. By dating rocks on either side of oceanic ridges, they have been able to confirm that new oceanic crust is continuously forming and moving away from the ridges.
Overall, the Plate Tectonic Theory has gained acceptance because it provides a more comprehensive and well-supported explanation for the movement and interaction of Earth's crustal plates, incorporating various lines of evidence from different scientific disciplines.