Why do continents move towards each other and away from each other?

Answer 1

When two continents begin to drift toward one another, its because the tectonic plate which the ocean between them lies on is being subducted beneath another tectonic plate; basically the oceanic crust (land) beneath the ocean is being pulled down underneath another piece of crust. Once all the oceanic crust has been swallowed up, there is no more ocean left between the continents and so they 'meet'. The continents don't get pulled down beneath one another though; oceanic crust is different to continental crust in that it is denser and less buoyant, so it can be pulled down. Continental crust is less dense and is too buoyant to be subducted. The surface of the Earth is covered by tectonic plates which fit together like a complete jigsaw puzzle; the continents and the land beneath the oceans are just the crust which sit on top of the tectonic plates. While some oceans are 'shrinking' because of subduction, elsewhere in the world, oceans are growing because oceanic crust is being created by lava erupting through openings in the sea floor, which then cools, and sets to form solid crust.

Answer 2

There are things under the Earth called Continental plates. Every year the shift across the Earth because they are moved by the water.

Answer 3

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