CONTINENTAL DRIFT Meaning and
Definition
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Continental drift refers to the geological theory that suggests that the Earth's continents were once joined together as a single supercontinent and have since moved apart over time. This concept was proposed by scientist Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, and it revolutionized our understanding of the Earth's geological history.
According to the theory of continental drift, approximately 200 million years ago, all of the Earth's landmasses were part of a supercontinent called Pangaea. Over time, the supercontinent began to slowly break apart, with the continents moving away from each other. This movement was driven by the process of plate tectonics, where the Earth's lithosphere (the outermost layer of the Earth) is divided into plates that float and move on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath.
Continental drift states that these tectonic plates, upon which the continents sit, are in constant motion. Over millions of years, the plates move due to the processes of plate tectonics, causing the continents to shift and drift apart. This movement occurs at a rate of a few centimeters per year.
The evidence supporting continental drift includes the fit of the continents, where the shape of the continental margins fit together like puzzle pieces when the continents are rearranged. Other evidence includes similarities in geology, fossil records, and rock formations across now-separated continents.
Overall, continental drift provides a framework to understand and explain the changing configuration of the Earth's continents, as well as the geological processes that have shaped our planet over millions of years.
Common Misspellings for CONTINENTAL DRIFT
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Etymology of CONTINENTAL DRIFT
The term "continental drift" was coined by the German meteorologist and geophysicist Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century. The word "continental" refers to the continents, while "drift" means movement or the act of being carried along by a current. Therefore, the etymology of the term "continental drift" refers to the concept of continents moving or drifting over time.
Similar spelling words for CONTINENTAL DRIFT
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