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The movement of Earth's continents is known as plate tectonics. It describes how Earth's lithosphere is divided into large plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These plates move over time, leading to the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and the shifting of continents.

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If Earths plates and continents are constantly moving what effect does this have on Earths oceans?

The movement of Earth's plates and continents can cause changes in sea level, ocean currents, and the distribution of marine life. It can also affect the shape of ocean basins and the location of coastlines.


What is the name of earths single continent before it spit up into the continents as they are today?

The single continent was called Pangaea. It existed around 335 million years ago and eventually split into the continents we know today due to the movement of tectonic plates.


What is the evidence for earths continents have moved?

Evidence for the movement of Earth's continents includes the matching coastlines, similar rock formations and fossils found on different continents, and the distribution of certain plant and animal species across continents that were once connected. Additionally, the discovery of magnetic stripes on the ocean floor, along with the theory of plate tectonics, further support the idea that Earth's continents have moved over time.


How is convection responsible for the arrangement of the continents on earths surface?

Convection in the Earth's mantle drives the movement of tectonic plates, which are responsible for the arrangement of continents on Earth's surface. As the mantle moves due to convection currents, it causes tectonic plates to collide, separate, or slide past each other, leading to the formation of continents as we see them today.


What caused breakup of pangea?

The breakup of Pangea was primarily driven by plate tectonics, where the Earth's continents drift and move due to the movement of tectonic plates. This movement led to the gradual separation of the supercontinent Pangea into the continents we see today. The process started around 200 million years ago during the Mesozoic era.

Related Questions

What is the volcanic and the drift continental theory?

the Continental Drift Theory is the slow movement of the Earths continents. A.K.A the continents drift


What theory of the formation and movement of the plates that cover the earths surface?

the movement and formation of the plates or continents is caused by conduction under the crust.


What is the theory of formation and movement of the plates that cover the earths surface?

the movement and formation of the plates or continents is caused by conduction under the crust.


What do the 7 continents look like?

the earths continents are the same ..


Why did it take so long for the continents to move to where they are today?

The movement of continents is driven by plate tectonics, which is a slow process. Over millions of years, the movement of tectonic plates causes the continents to shift positions. Factors such as the size and composition of the plates, as well as the heat within the Earth's mantle, all contribute to the gradual movement of the continents to their current locations.


If Earths plates and continents are constantly moving what effect does this have on Earths oceans?

The movement of Earth's plates and continents can cause changes in sea level, ocean currents, and the distribution of marine life. It can also affect the shape of ocean basins and the location of coastlines.


How has the movement of the continents affected the distribution of species?

what has the movement of the continents done to species


What is a continental shift?

A continental shift refers to the movement of continents on the Earth's surface due to plate tectonics. This movement is very slow, occurring over millions of years, and can result in changes to the configuration of the continents and the ocean basins. Examples of continental shifts include the breakup of Pangaea into the continents we see today.


Do continents drift slowly on earths upper mantle or earths core?

Continents drift on top of the upper mantle. The core is much further down.


What is a large landmass that is part of the earths crust?

continents


Are the earths countries moving further apart?

No the continents are.


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

the earths plates shifted....