Why is the Plate Tectonic Theory accepted today over the Continental Drift Theory? (1 point) The continents nor the plates truly move, they just appear to All plates of Earth's crust move, not just the landmasses The continents did move at one time but have moved back together The marsupial fossils found were not great evidence that Pangaea once existed
The Plate Tectonic Theory is accepted today over the Continental Drift Theory because it provides a more comprehensive explanation of the movement of Earth's lithosphere. It explains that the Earth's crust is divided into several large plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. These plates are constantly in motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.
The Plate Tectonic Theory explains not only the movement of the continents but also other geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. It is supported by extensive evidence from various fields of study, including seismology, paleomagnetism, and the study of ocean floor spreading.
In contrast, the Continental Drift Theory proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century suggested that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea and have since drifted apart. While Wegener's theory provided some compelling evidence, such as the fit of South America and Africa and the distribution of fossil and geological correlations across continents, it lacked a robust mechanism to explain the movement of the continents.
The discovery of plate tectonics and the subsequent development of detailed mapping of plate boundaries, seafloor spreading, and subduction zones provided a more substantial explanation for the movement of the continents. Therefore, the Plate Tectonic Theory is widely accepted as it encompasses a broader understanding of Earth's dynamic processes.