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Scientists believe that continents move due to the process of plate tectonics. This theory explains that the Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle below. These plates move over time, causing the continents to drift apart or come together.

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What did scientist believe before Continental Drift?

Before the theory of Continental Drift was widely accepted, scientists believed in the concept of stationary continents. They thought that the continents were fixed in place and did not move over time. This idea was known as the theory of continental permanence.


What do scientist now think is causing the continents to move?

They now think that the continents are moving because of tectonic plates and how they move, or drift, apart.


What do scientists believe about the earth's continents?

Scientists believe that the Earth's continents were once part of a single landmass called Pangaea that later broke apart due to plate tectonics. This movement of tectonic plates is still ongoing, causing the continents to drift slowly over time.


What convinced scientists that the the continents were slowly moving?

Scientists were convinced that continents were slowly moving due to evidence such as fit of the continents' coastlines, matching geological features across continents, and the discovery of mid-ocean ridges and seafloor spreading. This evidence supported the theory of plate tectonics, which explains how continents move over time.


How approximately do scientists say that our continents move in a year?

Scientists estimate that continents move at a rate of about 2.5 centimeters per year, which is similar to the rate at which our fingernails grow. This movement is caused by plate tectonics, where the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large plates that slowly drift on the underlying semi-fluid asthenosphere.

Related Questions

What did scientists discover that showed that continents could move?

Scientist discovered tectonic plates


What did scientist believe before Continental Drift?

Before the theory of Continental Drift was widely accepted, scientists believed in the concept of stationary continents. They thought that the continents were fixed in place and did not move over time. This idea was known as the theory of continental permanence.


What do scientist now think is causing the continents to move?

They now think that the continents are moving because of tectonic plates and how they move, or drift, apart.


Why the continents could not possibly move the way wegnener is describing?

During Wegener's time, the mechanism for how continents could move was not understood. Without knowing about plate tectonics, scientists found it hard to believe that continents could plow through the dense oceanic crust. Additionally, Wegener lacked concrete evidence to support his theory, making it challenging for others to accept his ideas.


What do scientists believe about the earth's continents?

Scientists believe that the Earth's continents were once part of a single landmass called Pangaea that later broke apart due to plate tectonics. This movement of tectonic plates is still ongoing, causing the continents to drift slowly over time.


What do scientists believe will happen with the current position of th continents during and at the end of another 50my?

They will still be together


What convinced scientists that the the continents were slowly moving?

Scientists were convinced that continents were slowly moving due to evidence such as fit of the continents' coastlines, matching geological features across continents, and the discovery of mid-ocean ridges and seafloor spreading. This evidence supported the theory of plate tectonics, which explains how continents move over time.


Why did wegener believe that the continents were just one big landmass before?

Wegener believed in the theory of continental drift because he noticed that the coastlines of continents seemed to fit together like pieces of a puzzle. He also found similarities in rock formations and fossils across different continents, suggesting they were once connected. These observations led him to propose that the continents were once part of a single supercontinent called Pangaea.


What do scientists believe will happen with the current position of the continents during and at the end of another 50 million years?

they will all be together


How do earth's magnetic signatures support the idea that continents move?

Scientists indicated that the seafloor was spreading, so the poles "reverse"


How approximately do scientists say that our continents move in a year?

Scientists estimate that continents move at a rate of about 2.5 centimeters per year, which is similar to the rate at which our fingernails grow. This movement is caused by plate tectonics, where the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large plates that slowly drift on the underlying semi-fluid asthenosphere.


How were the fossil symbols helpful in deciding where to move the continents?

Fossil symbols were helpful in deciding where to move the continents because they provided evidence of past connections between landmasses. Similar fossils found on continents that are now far apart suggest that they were once joined together. By using fossil evidence, scientists could determine the past positions of continents and reconstruct ancient supercontinents like Pangaea.