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Continental drift is caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. Heat generated by radioactive decay in the Earth's interior causes convection currents in the mantle, which in turn drives the movement of these plates. This movement can result in the continents drifting apart or colliding with each other over millions of years.

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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.


Is the continents is still move today?

Yes, the continents are still moving today due to the process of plate tectonics. The movement is very slow, at a rate of a few centimeters per year, and is caused by the shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates.


What causes the continents to slowly move away from each other?

Continental drift is caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere, driven by convection currents in the mantle. As plates move, continents on top of them are carried along, causing them to gradually drift apart.


Do the continents move or stay still?

Continents are moving slightly almost all the time (from the plates moving) they do stay still at some points (how do you think continents formed from the supercontinent pangaea? They moved from multiple different events such as ocean currents and plates moving)


How did the continents get their current positions?

The movement of tectonic plates over millions of years is responsible for the current positions of continents. Plate tectonics, a theory that explains how Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that move across the Earth's surface, has caused continents to drift and collide, leading to the formation of the current landmass configurations.

Related Questions

Why did the continents move?

The continents move due to plate tectonics, which is the movement of the Earth's lithosphere plates on the asthenosphere beneath them. This movement is caused by convection currents in the mantle, leading to the drifting of continents over millions of years.


How much force does it take to move the continents?

Moving continents is driven by plate tectonics, which involve the slow movement of tectonic plates. This movement is caused by forces generated by heat from the Earth's interior and gravitational forces. The exact force required to move continents varies depending on the specific tectonic processes involved.


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.


What caused continental drift?

volcanos, mountains


Why was wegners continental drift hypothesis rejected by the scientific community?

because he couldn't explain what forces caused the continents to move... :D yup that's why


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.


How does continents move during continental drift?

Continents move during continental drift due to the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust. Plate tectonics theory explains that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into large plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. As these plates move and interact with each other, they can carry continents along with them, causing the continents to drift apart or come together over geological time.


Why continents dint just stay in one place?

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions can move or destroy them.


What are the parts of the plate that move when plates move?

continents


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.


Is the continents is still move today?

Yes, the continents are still moving today due to the process of plate tectonics. The movement is very slow, at a rate of a few centimeters per year, and is caused by the shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates.


Do the stars move from one place to other?

No, It`s an illusion caused by the spinning earth.