How were the continents formed?

Answer 1

Some geologists consider that the rocks near the surface of the Earth can be divided into two broad classes. Sial which contains less dense minerals, and Sima which contains denser minerals.

(These names may have been overtaken, but the principle holds.)

The Sial floats on the molten layers in the Earth, and the Sima is of similar density to the molten layers, so it sinks that far.

Earlier than about 800 Ma (million years ago) there was a single continent we call Pangaea. With an ocean around it.

This eventually divided into two super continents called Gondwana and Laurasia. The southern and northern continents respectively. A few hundred Ma these super continents in turn started to break up, and creating Australia, S Africa, and so on.

This process is named Continental Drift or Plate Tectonics.

This breakup may have been merely the latest episode of similar events in the past.

About 80 Ma the Indian sub continent left Africa, from near Madagascar, and migrated north to collide with the Eurasian plate.

Answer 2

Some geologists consider that the rocks near the surface of the Earth can be divided into two broad classes. Sial which contains less dense minerals, and Sima which contains denser minerals.

(These names may have been overtaken, but the principle holds.)

The Sial floats on the molten layers in the Earth, and the Sima is of similar density to the molten layers, so it sinks that far.

Earlier than about 800 Ma (million years ago) there was a single continent we call Pangaea. With an ocean around it.

This eventually divided into two super continents called Gondwana and Laurasia. The southern and northern continents respectively. A few hundred Ma these super continents in turn started to break up, and creating Australia, S Africa, and so on.

This process is named Continental Drift or Plate Tectonics.

This breakup may have been merely the latest episode of similar events in the past.

About 80 Ma the Indian sub continent left Africa, from near Madagascar, and migrated north to collide with the Eurasian plate.

Answer 3

The continents were formed through the process of plate tectonics, where Earth’s lithosphere is divided into large plates that move slowly over the asthenosphere. These plates collide, separate, or slide past each other, leading to the formation, breakup, and reformation of continents over millions of years. Erosion, volcanic activity, and sedimentation also contribute to shaping the landmasses we see today.