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The most common division of the earth's landforms is seven (7) continents ... Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and Europe. There are actually many continental plates. There are 7 primary plates (African Plate, North American Plate, South American Plate, Antarctic Plate, Eurasian Plate, indo-Australian Plate, and the Pacific Plate). In Addition there are 8 secondary plates (Arabian Plate, Caribbean Plate, Cocos Plate, Indian Plate, Juan de Fuca Plate, Nazca Plate, Philippine Plate and the Scotia Plate. These plate are commonly shown on continental plate maps. There are also a large number of tertiary plates.

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What caused the first land masses to form on earth?

Granitic crust, a.k.a continental crust, began to form, which happened to be less dense than oceanic crust. Therefore, the continental crust went on top of the oceanic, thus creating the first land mass on Earth.


What evidence didn't Alfred Wegener have access to at the time?

Alfred Wegener did not have access to evidence such as the mechanism of plate tectonics, detailed mapping of mid-ocean ridges, and advanced technology like GPS and satellite imagery that provide support for the movement of continents. Additionally, he lacked a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's deep interior structure and the driving forces behind continental drift.


What name have geographers given to the movement of the continents over millions of years?

Geographers refer to the movement of the continents over millions of years, as the plate tectonics. It basically explains the current structure of the Earth's crust, as well as other geologic phenomena.


Which part of the Earth is solid?

Everything in the earth is solid. But earth is not spherical. The earth has large holes that makes up the oceans.


What did scientists change the name of wegeners hypothesis to?

Scientists changed the name of Alfred Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift to the theory of plate tectonics. This shift occurred as a result of accumulating evidence and advancements in understanding the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates that move and interact. Plate tectonics encompasses not only the movement of continents but also the mechanisms driving these movements, such as seafloor spreading and subduction.

Related Questions

What layer of the earth makes up the continental plates?

The continental lithosphere.


Which kind of earth's plates is heavier and which is lighter?

Oceanic plates are heavier than continental plates because they are denser and thinner. Continental plates are lighter because they are less dense and thicker. The difference in density and composition accounts for the varying weights of the Earth's plates.


How does the motion of the tectonic plates relate to continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


Could the earth's magnetic poles be the cause of continental drift?

No, the Earth's magnetic poles are not responsible for continental drift. Continental drift is primarily driven by the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's lithosphere. The Earth's magnetic field does play a role in plate tectonics through magnetic stripes on the ocean floor, but it is not the primary cause of continental drift.


How does motion of tectonic plates relate to continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


How does the motion of tectonic plates relate continental drift?

Continental drift is the theory that "plates" on the Earth are constantly in motion and have been for millions of years. Tectonic plates are the actual moving plates.


Where do continental plates touch on earth?

at the mid ocean ridge


What two types of plates make up the earth?

The two main types of plates that make up the Earth's lithosphere are oceanic plates, which are denser and thinner, and continental plates, which are less dense and thicker. These plates interact with each other at their boundaries, causing movements such as subduction, spreading, and collisions that shape the Earth's surface.


How many plates is earth's crust made of?

Earth's crust is divided into a series of large and small plates, known as tectonic plates. There are about 7 major plates (e.g., the Pacific Plate, North American Plate) and several minor plates that make up the Earth's crust.


What do scientist call the areas of Earth's crust a.faults b.hemisphere c.tectonic plates d. continental shelves?

continental shelves


What are tectonicsplates?

Tectonic plates.Tectonic plates are plates underneath Earth's surface that move very slowly. There are oceanic and continental plates. Of course, oceanic plates are plates under the ocean, and continental plates are plates underneath ground, or continents. Each of the plates carry the things above them, land or ocean. When two continental or oceanic plates collide, it causes a fold in Earth's surface, and an earthquake. Now, when a continental plate draws near and nearly collides with an oceanic plate, something called subduction occurs. Subduction is basically when the oceanic plate dips down below the continental plate, causing a trench.


What processes power the movement of the earth's continental and oceanic plates?

the magma