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The continents drift at a rate of about 2 to 5 centimeters per year due to plate tectonics. This movement is caused by the slow motion of Earth's tectonic plates.

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Are Europe and north America drifting closer together or farther apart?

Europe and North America are drifting farther apart at a rate of a few centimeters per year due to the movement of tectonic plates. This movement results from the spreading of the Atlantic Ocean, causing the two continents to move away from each other over time.


Are that earth continents still moving today?

Yes, Earth's continents are still moving today due to plate tectonics. This movement is very slow, with continents drifting at a rate of a few centimeters per year. The movement of continents causes earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges.


Due to continental drift the North American and European continents are drifting apart at an average speed of about 3 cm per year At this speed how long will it take for them to drift apart m?

At a rate of 3 cm per year, it would take approximately 33 million years for the North American and European continents to drift apart by 1,000 km.


If north America move 1.25 per year how far will it be away from ridge in middle of Atlantic ocean in 200 million years?

You can calculate this. The total of both continents will make it 2.5 centimeter. You will get pretty long distance. You can ask the distance after 20 billion years also. It is easy to calculate the answer using the calculator. But it is not practical answer. This way, the continents will override each other on the opposite side of the earth. This can not happen. The speed of drifting of the continents is not constant. it was high at the beginning of the fracture of the continents. It is getting slower and slower. The drifting will eventually stop, once the mass is distributed evenly across the earth. It will indefinitely long time for this to happen. This is subjected to the momentum of the earth due to the rotation of the earth.


How much do continents move per year?

Continents move about 2-5 centimeters per year due to the process of plate tectonics. This movement is caused by the sliding and shifting of tectonic plates along the Earth's crust. Over millions of years, this movement can lead to significant changes in the positions of continents on the planet.

Related Questions

How fast are the continents drifting on average?

It differs between each continent and year by year. However, the continents move about 6 cm on average per year. So it takes almost 17 years for the continents to move just one meter.


Is it the fact that the continents are drifting away with constant speed?

You tend to believe that the continents have been drifting away with constant speed. If this presumption is correct, then the continent will come close to each other eventually with time. This is not correct. The speed of the drifting away of the continents has been not the constant one. The moment of the continents is not the random event. They are moving with a purpose as to fallow some law of physics. A simple example will explain the same. if you fill the water in small tank. There is tap at the bottom of the tank. The initial speed of the water that comes out is high. It slows down eventually. The same thing is correct for the drifting of the continents. The initial speed of drifting away was high. The drifting way will halt eventually as the continents get spread all over the surface of the earth. This is the theory. Submitted to the science community.


What two continents are drifting apart?

The continents of Africa and South America are drifting apart due to the movement of tectonic plates along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This process, known as continental drift, occurs at a rate of a few centimeters per year.


Are Europe and north America drifting closer together or farther apart?

Europe and North America are drifting farther apart at a rate of a few centimeters per year due to the movement of tectonic plates. This movement results from the spreading of the Atlantic Ocean, causing the two continents to move away from each other over time.


Have the continents on opposite sides of the Atlantic ocean generally been drifting apart?

Yes. The continents have been drifting around since Earth first got her oceans, or before. At one time, there were a group of continents clustered near what is now Antarctica . . . the entire remainder of Earth's surface was covered by oceans of water. They eventually drifted apart. The current arrangement of continents occurred fairly recently in Earth's 4.5 billion year age.


Will continents Continue to move in the future?

Yes, continents will continue to move in the future due to plate tectonics. The movement is very slow, with the continents drifting at a rate of a few centimeters per year. This movement is driven by the Earth's internal heat and the convection currents in the mantle.


Are that earth continents still moving today?

Yes, Earth's continents are still moving today due to plate tectonics. This movement is very slow, with continents drifting at a rate of a few centimeters per year. The movement of continents causes earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges.


How much do continents move each year?

Continents move at an average rate of about 2-5 centimeters per year due to the process of plate tectonics. This movement is caused by the shifting of tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust.


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Due to continental drift the North American and European continents are drifting apart at an average speed of about 3 cm per year At this speed how long will it take for them to drift apart m?

At a rate of 3 cm per year, it would take approximately 33 million years for the North American and European continents to drift apart by 1,000 km.


If north America move 1.25 per year how far will it be away from ridge in middle of Atlantic ocean in 200 million years?

You can calculate this. The total of both continents will make it 2.5 centimeter. You will get pretty long distance. You can ask the distance after 20 billion years also. It is easy to calculate the answer using the calculator. But it is not practical answer. This way, the continents will override each other on the opposite side of the earth. This can not happen. The speed of drifting of the continents is not constant. it was high at the beginning of the fracture of the continents. It is getting slower and slower. The drifting will eventually stop, once the mass is distributed evenly across the earth. It will indefinitely long time for this to happen. This is subjected to the momentum of the earth due to the rotation of the earth.


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