Continental Drift

Front

What is Continental Drift?

Back

The hypothesis that continents were once part of a giant landmass that broke apart and drifted to their current locations.

Front

What evidence supports the theory of seafloor spreading?

Back

Magnetic seafloor stripes and the age of rocks.

Front

What causes the movement of Earth's tectonic plates?

Back

Convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

Front

Where is older ocean crust typically found?

Back

Towards the Deep-ocean trench.

Front

What is the process by which new ocean crust forms?

Back

Seafloor spreading.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

A supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

Front

What is the Mid-ocean ridge?

Back

An underwater mountain range where seafloor spreading occurs.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

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

Front

What role do convection currents play in plate tectonics?

Back

They drive the movement of tectonic plates by transferring heat from the Earth's interior.