Continental Drift

Front

What is Continental Drift?

Back

A theory that explains how continents move over time due to the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What causes the movement of Earth's tectonic plates?

Back

Convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

Front

What is oceanic crust primarily made of?

Back

Basalt.

Front

How does the density of oceanic crust compare to continental crust?

Back

Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust.

Front

What are the two types of crust?

Back

Continental crust and oceanic crust.

Front

What is the force that moves the continents?

Back

Convection.

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and older crust is pushed away.

Front

What discovery led scientists to rethink Wegener's continental drift theory?

Back

The discovery of seafloor spreading in the Atlantic Ocean.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

A major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

The process where one tectonic plate moves under another and is forced into the mantle.