How are plate tectonics and continental drift different?

Question

DO NOT TELL ME HOW THEY ARE SIMILAR

Answer 1

Continental drift was a theory that suggested that the continents may have moved suggested by Werner in the 1920s. However, the theory was largely discredited because he couldn't suggest a mechanism for the movement. It wasn't until the 1960s that further evidence (sea floor spreading at the mid-atlantic ridge, paleomagnetism in volcanic and metamorphic rocks, paleontological evidence of fossils of the same species on different continents, you know them all already, don't you?) began to emerge. The old, discredited theory of continental drift was resurrected and this time there was evidence of a mechanism, with geophysical evidence of tectonic plates and a theory for their movement by convection currents.

So, continental drift is the idea that the continents might have once been one landmass, don't know how or why but it sounds good. Plate tectonics is the theory that the surface of the earth is in constant movement, and the mechanism and forces involved can be used to expalin many geological phenomena like faulting, folding, orogensis etc.

Answer 2

you replied the question your self. Continental waft is the hyopthesis. what's a hypothesis? Its a wager as to how some technique happens. Plate tectonics is a concept. A concept is an concept this is supported by making use of evidence and assertion that keeps to be consistent each time this is examined. So, the undertaking is do continents pass? The continental waft hypothesis says that particular, continents pass. yet there substitute into no evidence to lower back it up. Plate tectonics, is the thought that states how the plates of earth's crust work together. Plate tectonics is a concept and that's supported by making use of evidence. so, to reply to your question, the main distinction is, continental waft is a hypothesis, and plate tectonics is a concept, one is an unproven wager, the different is supported with scientific evidence. for further info, seem up scientific approach.

Answer 3

The theory of Continental Drift had no explanation as to why movement occurred, just that there was evidence that it had happenec. The theory of Seafloor spreading and Plate Tectonics has a mechanism that explains this motion quite well.

Answer 4

plate tectonics would be the principal mechanism behind the observed continental drifts. The crust moves, stretches and cracks as the plates shift, rub and slide under or over each other.

Answer 5

No difference

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Answer 6

They aren't.