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They are actually part of the "same" theory. Seafloor spreading and subduction are the driving forces of continental drift.

Pangaea was the Earth's only continent 4 billion years ago. Tectonic plates are small plates, while continent drift is several tectonic plates moving as a mass (continent). There are 21 large plates and dozens of smaller ones.

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14y ago
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5mo ago

Plate tectonic theory includes the concept of seafloor spreading and explains how the Earth's lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that move on the asthenosphere. Continental drift theory was an early hypothesis that suggested the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea and moved apart to their current positions. Plate tectonic theory builds upon the idea of continental drift by providing a more comprehensive explanation of the movement of Earth's lithosphere.

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Q: How is plate tectonic theory different from continental drift theory?
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Related questions

How does the motion of the tectonic plates relate to continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


How are tectonic plate movements similar?

"Plate tectonics" is a fancy word for "Continental Drift". In both theories the continents move.


How does the motion of tectonic plates relate continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


How does motion of tectonic plates relate to continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


What two ways is the plate tectonic theory different from the ideas of the continental drift?

The plate tectonic theory expands on the idea of continental drift by incorporating the movement of the Earth's lithosphere into rigid plates. This theory also explains how these plates interact at their boundaries, causing phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic activity. In contrast, continental drift primarily focused on the movement of continents across the Earth's surface without explaining the mechanism behind it.


How is continental drift theory different from plate tectonics theory?

They are actually part of the "same" theory. Seafloor spreading and subduction are the driving forces of continental drift. Pangaea was the Earth's only continent 4 billion years ago. Tectonic plates are small plates, while continent drift is several tectonic plates moving as a mass (continent). There are 21 large plates and dozens of smaller ones.


Can you use the word continental drift in a sentence?

Continental drift is the theory that Earth's continents move slowly over time due to the movement of tectonic plates.


What is the difference between the continental drift theory and the theory of plate tectonic?

There is no difference, they are they same theory about the Earth's crust being divided and moving, they are just two different names that people call it.


What theory replaced Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift?

I think that continetal drift replaced his theory


Why is the continental drift theory a theory and not a scientific law?

The Continental Drift theory is a theory because there is no evidence to support it. Alfred Wegener developed the Continental Drift theory in the 1800's.


What was the continental drift theory replaced by in 1967?

The continental drift theory was replaced by the theory of plate tectonics.


What are the Diastrophic movements of the earth?

*Plate tectonic theory *continental drift theory *convection theory *expansion theory theories of diastrophism and diastrophic movements of the earth have the same meaning