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Australia's animals adapted to a unique ecosystem after division from other plates.

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How does the theory of plate tectonics differ from Wegener's idea of continental drift?

Wegener's idea of continental drift suggested thatcontinents moved, but it did not explain many otherparts of Earth's crust. Today scientists use the theoryof plate tectonics to explain why Earth's features appearas they do.According to the theory of plate tectonics, Earth's lithosphere is broken into about 20 moving plates. The continents and the ocean floor make up the surfaces of these moving plates.


The theory of plate tectonics helps to explain what?

The theory of plate tectonics helps to explain how earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.


How do scientists explain the arrangement of continents today?

Scientists explain the arrangement of continents today through the theory of plate tectonics. This theory states that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath. Movements of these plates through processes like seafloor spreading, subduction, and continental drift have shaped the current arrangement of continents.


How can the presence of seven continents on the earth surface be explained?

There are "7 continents" due to a combination of how plate tectonics processes have fractured the light granitic rocks that make up the continents and then smashed them back together over time, along with human perceptions (e.g. Europe and Asia are considered by human perception to be separate continents but they are a single continent of Eurasia in terms of plate tectonics processes). At various times in the past there have been as few as one continent and at other times there have been more than the current number.


What is the purpose of plate tectonics?

Plate tectonics helps explain the movement of Earth's lithosphere plates, which create earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. It also plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface and influencing the distribution of continents and oceans.

Related Questions

Does plate tectonics theory fully explain the position of continents today?

yes


What does the theroy of plate tectonics explain?

it explains y there is volcanoes, earthquakes, and the movement of the continents


Explain why similar plants and animals are found in the continents of Africa south America Australia and India?

explain why similar plants and animals found in the continents of africa , south america,australia and india


What do the shape of the continents now tell us about their past?

The current shape and position of continents provide evidence for the theory of plate tectonics, which suggests that continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangaea that has since drifted apart. This movement helps explain the similarities between the geology and fossils of now widely separated continents, as well as the presence of matching coastlines and mountain ranges.


How does the theory of plate tectonics differ from Wegener's idea of continental drift?

Wegener's idea of continental drift suggested thatcontinents moved, but it did not explain many otherparts of Earth's crust. Today scientists use the theoryof plate tectonics to explain why Earth's features appearas they do.According to the theory of plate tectonics, Earth's lithosphere is broken into about 20 moving plates. The continents and the ocean floor make up the surfaces of these moving plates.


The theory of plate tectonics helps to explain what?

The theory of plate tectonics helps to explain how earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.


What does plate tectonics explain?

it explains how things came to be like toda. the continents are basically apart and the move inch by inch every year.


How do scientists explain the arrangement of continents today?

Scientists explain the arrangement of continents today through the theory of plate tectonics. This theory states that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath. Movements of these plates through processes like seafloor spreading, subduction, and continental drift have shaped the current arrangement of continents.


What does understanding plate tectonics?

Understanding plate tectonics helps explain the movement of Earth's lithosphere, including the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. It provides insight into how continents have shifted over time and how various geologic events are interconnected globally.


What did the theory of continental drift not explain?

The theory of continental drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener, did not adequately explain the mechanism behind the movement of continents. It lacked a convincing process to account for how continents could shift across the Earth's surface, as Wegener suggested they moved through oceanic crust. Additionally, the theory could not explain the geological features and phenomena associated with plate tectonics, such as earthquakes and volcanic activity, which were later clarified by the theory of plate tectonics.


How can the presence of seven continents on the earth surface be explained?

There are "7 continents" due to a combination of how plate tectonics processes have fractured the light granitic rocks that make up the continents and then smashed them back together over time, along with human perceptions (e.g. Europe and Asia are considered by human perception to be separate continents but they are a single continent of Eurasia in terms of plate tectonics processes). At various times in the past there have been as few as one continent and at other times there have been more than the current number.


What is the purpose of plate tectonics?

Plate tectonics helps explain the movement of Earth's lithosphere plates, which create earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. It also plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface and influencing the distribution of continents and oceans.