Question

Continental drift and plate tectonics are both theories but only plate tectonics is accepted as fact by the scientific community. Explain why plate tectonics is considered a scientific fact and why continental drift is not.

Answer 1

@jim_thompson5910 do you think you could help me out on this one..?

Answer 2

This may help you: http://is.gd/RPWZ9l

Answer 3

thanks @Dean.Shyy :)

Answer 4

Wegener proposed the continental drift theory, and provided scientific evidences for such, but couldn't explain the mechanism or processes behind the movement of continents. It wasn't until the mid-twentieth century with the discovery of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that the processes causing plate movements began to be understood and led to the science of plate tectonics.

Answer 5

Also, you can experience the working of plate tectonics as it causes earthquakes and vulcano eruptions but continental drift is way more slower

Answer 6

is that along the same lines..?

Answer 7

oceans are on top of tectonic plates so the continents arent drifting over the ocean bed

Answer 8

There is a geography section for questions like this by the way :P

Answer 9

right. thats why the theory of continental drift would be not accepted by the scientific theory.. right? or do i have it all wrong..?

Answer 10

I think the problem is that the continents are not equal to the plates. One continent could be on different plates. when the plates move a continent gets cut in 2 and then for example 2 cracked continents smash against each other to form a new continent. So the continent did not move, the plates did.

Answer 11

I guess something like that :)

Answer 12

okay great! thanks a bunch for all of your help!