Why is the Plate Tectonic Theory accepted today over the Continental Drift Theory?
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
There are several reasons why the Plate Tectonic Theory is accepted today over the Continental Drift Theory:
1. Supportive evidence: The Plate Tectonic Theory is supported by a wide range of scientific evidence from different fields, including geological, geophysical, and paleontological studies. This evidence includes the matching shapes of continental shelves, the distribution of fossils and rock formations across continents, magnetic striping on the ocean floor, and the occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic activity along plate boundaries. All this evidence consistently supports the concept of tectonic plates moving and interacting with each other.
2. Mechanism of movement: The Plate Tectonic Theory provides a mechanism for the movement of the Earth's crust, whereas the Continental Drift Theory lacked a satisfactory explanation for how continents could move. Plate tectonics explains the movement of plates through the process of convection currents in the Earth's mantle, driven by heat from the planet's core. This process provides a coherent explanation for the motion of not only the continents but also the entire lithosphere.
3. Incorporation of the ocean floor: The Plate Tectonic Theory incorporates the study of the ocean floor, which was not adequately explained by the Continental Drift Theory. The discovery of mid-ocean ridges, seafloor spreading, and the existence of magnetic striping on the ocean floor provided substantial evidence for the movement of tectonic plates. This evidence supports the idea that the continents are part of larger, dynamic plates that move and interact with each other.
4. Consensus among scientists: Over the years, the Plate Tectonic Theory has gained widespread acceptance among the scientific community due to its ability to explain various geological phenomena and observations. The theory has been consistently supported by new evidence and is widely taught in schools and universities as the current understanding of Earth's geology.
While the Continental Drift Theory was a significant stepping stone towards understanding plate tectonics, it is no longer considered a comprehensive explanation for the movement of Earth's crust. The wealth of evidence and the explanatory power of the Plate Tectonic Theory have made it the prevailing scientific framework in the field of geology.
pick on of the answers i have given
Sure, I will pick one of the answers you provided. The reason why the Plate Tectonic Theory is accepted today over the Continental Drift Theory is because:
- All plates of the Earth's crust move, not just the landmasses.